8 Leap Year Songs to Get You through Monday

Entertainment

Every four years, the Gregorian calendar adjusts to a total of 366 days to account for the Earth's solar orbit. Well of course that meant the VAVA team yearned to answer the hot (albeit rare) question...what leap year music should you listen to?Well technically, there aren't many leap year songs bumpin' on the radio today...

8 Leap Year Songs to Get You through Monday

Every four years, the Gregorian calendar adjusts to a total of 366 days to account for the Earth's solar orbit. Well of course that meant the VAVA team yearned to answer the hot (albeit rare) question...what leap year music should you listen to? Well technically, there aren't many leap year songs bumpin' on the radio today BUT there are a ton of songs about jumping and grooving. Today we've compiled a list of our favorite "leap" year hits to get you through the day. Let us know in the comments what your favorite leap song is!
1. Kriss Kross - Jump https://youtu.be/010KyIQjkTk
2. Calvin Harris ft. Kelis - Bounce https://youtu.be/ooZwmeUfuXg 3.
Van Halen - Jump https://youtu.be/SwYN7mTi6HM 4.
Drake & Future - Jumpman https://youtu.be/NiM5ARaexPE 5.
Andra Day - Rise Up https://youtu.be/kNKu1uNBVkU 6.
Madonna - Jump https://youtu.be/YjDCsmTneQY 7.
Yves LaRock - Rise Up https://youtu.be/zoMYU_nOGNg 8.
Juicy J ft. Wale, Trey Songz - Bounce It https://youtu.be/IpZvwBmryUM Sit back and relax during your extra 24 hours with this specially curated list. Have a happy leap day! To get the most out of your listening experience , make sure you check out the best wireless speakers on the market at
VAVA 's homepage and
Amazon listing. -Vava Team
source: Britannica

Four Major Ways Music Affects Your Body

Entertainment

Music WellnessAvid music listeners can agree that the beautiful, eclectic, fun - or even emotional sounds coming from music can transport us to another dimension. While amazing songs can definitely set the mood, research has proven that the experience of listening to music can actually provide health benefits, strengthen memory retention, and increase your levels...

Four Major Ways Music Affects Your Body

Music Wellness Avid music listeners can agree that the beautiful, eclectic, fun - or even emotional sounds coming from music can transport us to another dimension. While amazing songs can definitely set the mood, research has proven that the experience of listening to music can actually provide health benefits, strengthen memory retention, and increase your levels of dopamine (which affect everything that "feels good"). If you're not already a music fan (huh?!) , peep our infographic below and learn more about how music affects your body. Happy listening!
Music Affectssource: cracked, newsinhealth Let VAVA be a part of your listening experience by visiting our
website and
Amazon listing. -VAVA Nation

VAVA's Music Monday: Wavy Women & Dope Songs

Entertainment

With International Women's day falling this Tuesday, we're kicking off this Music Monday with another sweet playlist and the scoop on the cool ladies behind it. From sultry to experimental, and chill-funk to electro -- these women are upping your playlist game and having all your homies beg you to "send me this song!" Follow us on Spotify...

VAVA's Music Monday: Wavy Women & Dope Songs

With International Women's day falling this Tuesday, we're kicking off this Music Monday with another sweet playlist and the scoop on the cool ladies behind it. From sultry to experimental, and chill-funk to electro -- these women are upping your playlist game and having all your homies beg you to "send me this song!" Follow us on Spotify at vavasound and get the weekly update on these artists (and more) on our playlist "Wavy Women's Month".

Some songs are considered NSFWKiiaravia Idolator Midwest native Kiiara debuted her glitchy, vowel-stressed track "Gold" on the Fader last year and the song now has over 40 million Spotify plays. With a relatable impatience and straightforward lyrics, "Gold" makes young love humorous and even more so when you think about Kiiara's background. This 20-year old artist made beats on the low while working as a hardware store clerk! We imagine she might be humming her next hit near the power tools aisle.
Grimesvia The Fader Probably the most recognized artist on this list, Claire Boucher or Grimes has been heavily praised in the past few years by media and blogs alike since her debut album of
Visions. With the Juno Award for 2012's Electronic Album of the Year and a slew of "best of" nominations under her belt, Grimes' newest project
Art Angels trumped everything by snagging her a No. 1 spot on Billboard's Alternative Album Chart. Her range of influences (Mariah Carey to Marilyn Manson) are a clear reflection of how UN-clear her music really is. Like a goth-fairy queen, Grimes brings back the punk-ethereal, Björk-esque sound this generation seriously needs.
The Internetvia Vibe Well technically The Internet is not just one woman. Comprised of Odd Future members Syd Tha Kyd and Matt Martians, as well as members Jameel Bruner, Patrick Paige, Christopher A. Smith, and Steve Lacy - this neo-soul band has been making waves on the internet (ha) for their jazzy and chill funk songs. Despite Odd Future being known for their explicit and horror-core rap style, lead vocal woman Syd Tha Kyd's airy voice doesn't try to stand out against her band's music. Syd's voice simply blends like another instrument in each song...and damn does she play it well. The Internet's current hit is "Girl" featuring DJ/musician KAYTRANADA.
Anne-Marie We can't handle all the talent coming from our neighbors across the water. Sam Smith is done touring? Adele got us! Now she's on hiatus? Look at that sweet Ed Sheeran. Want those raw pop vocals? Come at me Jessie J! All aboard the train to Great Britain! Anne-Marie is yet another talented act to come from London town. RnB, electro, or pop - her voice fits it all. She's bad a$$ and her funny narratives (in "Boy" she's into a guy but can't tell if he's more interested in her or his bro besty) are reminiscent of the cheeky Lily Allen. While Anne-Marie isn't on tour with multi-platinum band Rudimental, she's busy being a three-time world KARATE champion. That's right, her super sick song "Karate" is actually sort of literal.
DUA Lipa https://youtu.be/coYCDufkfPM The deep clarity in DUA Lipa's voice has made her a huge emerging artist in 2016. Her mature sound brings a warmth to her synthpop singles and upbeat dance tracks. She may be only 20 but DUA Lipa is no stranger to the adult world. While her mother and father resided in Kosovo, the teenage DUA Lipa worked nightclubs as a hostess while finishing up school in London - which makes for some pretty colorful song lyrics. Watch out for this rising artist and check out some of her most popular songs including "Be The One" and "Last Dance". Did we mention she rocks at live singing? Peep her BBC Radio 1 performance below.
Kacy Hill https://youtu.be/aRBkpwlHtkA If you got the Travi$ Scott
Rodeo album you may recognize Kacy Hill as the only female featured artist amongst notable acts such as The Weeknd, Schoolboy Q, Future, 2 Chainz, Chief Keef, Juicy J and Toro y Moi. Are we forgetting someone? Oh right, the man Kanye West himself. The former Yeezus tour dancer turned G.O.O.D music rookie caught the attention of Mr. West after releasing her single "Experience" (a collab project with Akon's "Beautiful" Songwriter). The single's video was reportedly shot in just ten minutes. Watch it here:
Tink Tink teeters on that edge of smooth 90's RnB singer and the quick rap stylings of Azealia Banks and Da Brat. The Chi-town native has released several mixtapes over the years but is most recognized for her and Timbaland's sampling of Aaliyah's hit "One in A Million". Her comparisons as a new age Lauryn Hill or TLC member are just the right people you'd want to be compared to. Now that she's working with mega-hit maker Timbaland, we can't wait to hear what her silky vocals will do over those beats. Watch out for Tink's meteoric rise this coming year. Enjoy our playlist!
Let VAVA be a part of your listening experience by visiting our
website and
Amazon listing. -VAVA nation

VAVA's Must-See Showcases at the 2016 SXSW Music Festival

Entertainment

This week kicks off the SXSW music festival in Austin, Texas - arguably one of the biggest and most anticipated events of the year. The week long affair will have you dancing, crying, and in awe of all the amazing musical acts taking over the stage. With such an extensive lineup, it was difficult to...

VAVA's Must-See Showcases at the 2016 SXSW Music Festival

This week kicks off the SXSW music festival in Austin, Texas - arguably one of the biggest and most anticipated events of the year. The week long affair will have you dancing, crying, and in awe of all the amazing musical acts taking over the stage. With such an extensive lineup, it was difficult to choose just a few performers we can't wait to see. Therefore, you'll find all 12 of these artists and more at our SXSW 2016 with VAVA playlist.

From: Oxnard, California
Sounds like: If James Brown and Kendrick Lamar were a super hybrid, we'd have Anderson .Paak. "P-Dot"?
Don't miss: There's a reason his unique voice was featured on six songs for Dr. Dre's Compton album, and an impressive list of guest features for Dumbfounded, Domo Genesis, The Game, BJ the Chicago Kid, Tokimonsta, Tiron Ayomari - the list goes on. https://soundcloud.com/andersonpaak/come-down
BoogieFrom: Compton, California
Sounds like: Nasal-rap stylings reminiscent of Chance the Rapper
Don't miss: Not quite underground, not quite crowd-pleasing - but definitely high quality. Boogie's had favorable reviews on his mixtapes and can only get bigger from here. https://soundcloud.com/hip-hop/boogie-oh-my-prod-by-jahlil-beats

From: Columbia, Maryland
Sounds like: Uplifting yet emotional alt+RnB, "future-soul"
Don't miss: One of the most talked about artists to watch on this list https://soundcloud.com/gallant/weight-in-gold

HONNE From: East London, England Sounds like: Clear "electric-soul" Don't miss: This duo is building a following with over 1M Spotify monthly listeners

https://soundcloud.com/hellohonne/all-in-the-value

Le1f From: Manhattan, New York Sounds like: Underground New York with a drag sub-culture Don't miss: Full of energy with a distinct 90's flair, Le1f brings slicker raps to "pump the jam" vibes

https://soundcloud.com/le1f/wut-5kinandbone5

Sevdaliza From: Iran/Netherlands Sounds like: A layered, sultry alternate dimension Don't miss: Her music and music videos (check out "That Other Girl") are an experience in themselves. The beats are minimal yet undeniably striking

https://youtu.be/IUt3zm6W2yc

Tigertown From: Sydney, Australia Sounds like: Indie-pop with each song appealing to a different crowd Don't miss: This relatively new family band (sibling & spouses) will start touring with St. Lucia this year and now shares the SXSW lineup with them

https://soundcloud.com/tigertownband/lonely-cities

Yuna From: Alor, Setar, Kedah, Malaysia Sounds like: Light and airy RnB, indie-pop Don't miss: Yuna has been featured on NPR and The New York Times, worked with Pharrell and Usher, and performed on numerous late night talk shows

https://youtu.be/HGY2MBdv9Y0
Let VAVA be a part of your listening experience by visiting our
website and
Amazon listing. -VAVA nation

17 Things You Need For Coachella - And Every Other Music Festival

Entertainment

You and your friends will be festival ready with our list of 17 MUST-HAVE items for the seasonal concert-goer. Portable gear, gadgets, and even playlists are essential to your packing list. With our handy guide you'll feel right at home at the biggest music events of the year!1. A Gazelle Pop-Up Tent [caption id="attachment_341" align="alignnone" width="748"]...

17 Things You Need For Coachella - And Every Other Music Festival

You and your friends will be festival ready with our list of 17 MUST-HAVE items for the seasonal concert-goer. Portable gear, gadgets, and even playlists are essential to your packing list. With our handy guide you'll feel right at home at the biggest music events of the year!
1. A Gazelle Pop-Up Tent [caption id="attachment_341" align="alignnone" width="748"]
Gazelle / Amazon[/caption] [caption id="attachment_342" align="alignnone" width="498"]
Gazelle / Amazon[/caption]

Spend less time setting up, and more time enjoying your campsite with this no-frills gear. This tentsprings into position almost immediately - just toss it in the air from its carrying bag and watch the magic happen. You can find it here($49.99).

Create the perfect ambiance for your campsite with these Lighting EVER string lights ($9.99). While you're running from one music set to the next, these lights will be soaking up the sun and staying lit for your festival after-party. Find them here.

Never underestimate the importance of toilet paper rolls. You can't expect the music festivals to be fully stocked in each stall. Get a 12-pack for you and all your friends at Target ($10.29). You can thank us later!

Getting water FAST at a music festival can be daunting. If you're nowhere near a watering station, or if you're right in the middle of a sick DJ set - your Camelbak (which can hold up to 2 liters of water) will save the day. Get it here ($59).

Don't let your favorite pair of Ray-Bans become a casualty to your awesome weekend. You and the squad can still be stylish AND feel a little more secure with these sunglasses from Forever 21 ($5.90). Shop more styles for both women and men on their website.

Staying connected at a music festival is 10 times easier with the RavPower Luster 6700mAH($12.99)and the RavPower Luster Mini($9.99) . Pocket sized and full of power - these portable battery backs can charge an iPhone 6 once (for the mini) and twice around (for the 6700mAH). Order hereand go forth on your adventures without fear.

With a cordless campsite, there's really no time for complicated hair styles that can only be achieved with straighteners, heat, and hairspray. Add these Urban Outfitters hair accessories (starting at $8) to your messy buns, or braids and make your simple look seem totally groomed. If you want effortless texture and style, try this light, Bona Fide Fiber Pomade($14).

You are a festival (let-alone life) noob if you haven't realized the importance of sun-screen. Even when the sun isn't out, harmful UV rays can still penetrate your skin and cause premature aging, inflammation, and make you more susceptible to skin diseases. Get a spray-on sunscreen like this Sun Bum Premium SPF 70 Moisturizing Sunscreen Spray($15.99) for a simple, mess-free application.

If you want to zest up your canopy, tying decorative tapestries around your campsite will make your area a little easier to find and provide privacy from your neighbors (if that's your thing). Plus, they make great photo backdrops for all your Snapchat and Instagram needs. You can find tapestries like this on the Urban Outfitter's Website ($19.99).

16. A VAVA Voom Portable SpeakerYou may be at a music festival, BUT away from the stage, your campsite could be suffering some major music withdrawals. Be the hero your friends need by bringing a boomin' wireless speaker to your camp spot. The
VAVA Voom Portable Speaker(now on Amazon for
$82.99 ) isn't just shockingly loud - the depth of sound beats its pricier competitors by a landslide (see these awesome comparison videos
here and
here ). Take the concert with you wherever you go -
get it here ! Visit our
website for more information on these premium , bluetooth speakers.

17. The Perfect Festival Playlist

[caption id="attachment_374" align="alignnone" width="743"]
Vava Speaker / Spotify[/caption] What's a wireless speaker without some amazing music to blast on it! Get an awesome playlist ready like this
Ultimate Coachella 2016 playist by the VAVA teamand set out to your next adventure! Festival season is just getting started! - Team VAVA

25 Songs to Dedicate to Your Mom for Mother's Day

Entertainment

It doesn't matter what occupation you are. Whether you're an A-list celebrity, or a struggling artist - the unconditional support of your momma can give you the strength to accomplish anything! The following musicians are giving big ups to the inspiring women in their lives through these classic pop and hip-hop singles. This Mother's day, show your...

25 Songs to Dedicate to Your Mom for Mother's Day

It doesn't matter what occupation you are. Whether you're an A-list celebrity, or a struggling artist - the unconditional support of your momma can give you the strength to accomplish anything! The following musicians are giving big ups to the inspiring women in their lives through these classic pop and hip-hop singles. This Mother's day, show your mom some love by playing her these beautiful (and sometimes hilarious) hits!

Meghan Trainor - "Mom" "No" and "All About That Bass" singer Meghan Trainor has racked up quite a few accolades since her 2014 debut. In these two years alone, the pop songstress has already received a Grammy Award for Best New Artist and two Billboard Music Awards. On her newest album, Meghan's mother Kelli Trainor features on the super sweet song "Mom".

Drake - "Look What You've Done" In "Look What You've Done" from his second studio album, Drake tells us of the trials and tribulations behind his claim to fame (even referencing his Degrassi acting days) and how accomplished he feels finally giving back to his mom - "checks bounce but we bounce back/ I put all the money in your accounts back."

Backstreet Boys - "The Perfect Fan" Oh boy bands. Some of us think we're a hardcore One Direction-er because we know their favorite restaurants and pet peeves - information we could all learn just from picking up an issue of "J-14". No, the real fanclub president goes to the ladies who've been here since the beginning...literally. The boy band sensation Backstreet Boys recognized this in their single "The Perfect Fan", of which they sweetly dedicated to their moms.

Christina Aguilera - "Oh Mother" Not all "mom" songs are about the support women have for their child's career. Some get real personal about issues mothers are facing in their marital life. In "Oh Mother," The Voice host and former pop princess Christina Aguilera takes us through the story of how her mother left an abusive relationship with their father - affirming that Christina and her brother are "stronger from all the tears you have shed."

Beyoncé - "Ring Off" Talk of Beyoncé's visual album Lemonade is hard to escape on the interwebs these days. The buzz is well deserved, and the Queen is sending all her Beyhive fans in a frenzy. But let's not forget her FIRST visual album, with hits like "Pretty Hurts" and the song "Ring Off" - a personal track that pre-cursored the hugely personal album "Lemonade." In "Ring Off," Beyoncé tells her mother Tina Knowles that she understood the difficulty in leaving her father/former manager Mathew Knowles (Mathew is notorious for cheating on Tina Knowles and fathering children to multiple women).

The Beatles - "Let It Be" The "Mother Mary" of which The Beatles sing about actually came to Paul McCartney in a dream. No, it wasn't the "Virgin Mary" but Paul's actual mother, Mary, who died when he was just a young teen. Inspired by her otherworldly appearance, Paul wrote a song about how life works itself out if we just "Let It Be."

Kanye West - "Hey Mama" Despite Kanye's confusing antics over the years (being dubbed the genius "Villain" in today's music world and constantly beefing with musicians like Taylor Swift and Wiz Khalifa) - he undoubtedly had a soft spot for his late mother (Donda West passed away in 2007 after complications during surgery). "Hey Mama", from Kanye's sophomore album Late Registration hears him beautifully comparing his mother to other strong women - "can't you see, you're like a book of poetry/ Maya Angelou, Nikki Giovanni, turn one page and there's my mommy."

Fountains of Wayne - "Stacy's Mom" Although not the most sweet or appropriate "mom" song, Fountains of Wayne made an infamous dedication to all the hot mamas out there who definitely still "got it going on."

2pac - "Dear Mama" With a new biographical movie in the works, and a hologram appearance at this year's Coachella, Tupac articles have been popping up everywhere. Unfortunately, this week's Tupac related news are about the recent death of Shakur's mother, political activist Afeni Shakur. Listen to "Dear Mama", one of the late rapper's most beloved songs.

Justin Bieber - "Turn To You" Before Justin Bieber was egging homes, getting roasted on Comedy central, and apologizing for his antics to Ellen Degeneres, little Biebs made a song about his former mom-ager Pattie Mallete. Although their current relationship is known to be rocky, "Turn To You" details the work Pattie put into raising him as a single mother.

Jimi Hendrix - "Angel" A few years before his mother died, rocker and famed guitarist Jimi Hendrix dreamt that Lucille Hendrix visited him to bid him farewell. This experience would inspire the song "Angel" and is included in many of his greatest compilation albums.

LL Cool J - "Mama Said Knock You Out" Mama knows what's best right? The story behind one of LL Cool J's greatest hits doesn't actually involve his mother, but was a reference to his hugely supportive grandmother. When critics were commenting on LL's washed up career, his grandmother told him what any supportive person would say - ignore the haters and "just knock them out"!

To check out the rest of VAVA's Songs About Moms playlist, make sure to follow VAVA Speaker on Spotify here . At VAVA we want to be a part of your total listening experience. Our specially curated playlists sound even better on the VAVA Voom wireless speaker. Details on how to order your own VAVA can be found here .

20 Awesome and Unique Gifts for Your Grad

Entertainment

If your graduate is entering college, traveling the summer, or soon to start at their dream jobs - these 20 unique gift ideas will have them ready to go for the next exciting chapter in their life.1. Under The Sea Decomposition BookThese 100 percent recycled "Decomposition Books" are perfect to jot down your to-do lists, business...

20 Awesome and Unique Gifts for Your Grad

If your graduate is entering college, traveling the summer, or soon to start at their dream jobs - these 20 unique gift ideas will have them ready to go for the next exciting chapter in their life.
1. Under The Sea Decomposition Book These 100 percent recycled "Decomposition Books" are perfect to jot down your to-do lists, business venture ideas, or daily musings after graduation.
Buy here: bookbinders (
$5)
2. VAVA Voom Bluetooth Speaker Get your grad their first high quality speaker. With 20W of booming sound (compare to
Beats pill and
UE Boom which play only 12W) the sleek VAVA Voom wireless speaker won't disappoint. Three EQ modes (surround, classic, party) let users customize their music for any lifestyle. Check out this awesome
Youtube review comparing the VAVA to other bluetooth speakers.
Buy here: VAVA Voom (
$99.99) -- Enter for a chance
to WIN your own VAVA in VAVA's weekly summer giveaway!
3. Stainless Steel Bar Tool SetDitch the red cups and get a big-kid bar tool set for your new grad. This stainless steel set comes with a strainer, jigger, tongs, and opener.
Buy here:williams-sonoma (
$29.95)
4. Nespresso Prodigio Bluetooth Espresso Maker - Titan
Starting that new post-grad job is going to be daunting. Get the days starting smooth with a home espresso maker. Nespresso carries one with bluetooth capabilities so you can "make a perfect cup of coffee from your phone."
Buy here: chefcentral (
$249.95)
5. The Side Car Who doesn't love two-in-one's? Your grad will appreciate this part succulent, part pencil holder that looks perfect on any desk or dorm room. Buy here:
boycestudio (
$80)
6. Portable Charger 6700mAH Before the bustle of school or jobs start, get your grad something that's perfect for their summer adventures. This Ravpower portable charger is good for two full chargers, fits snug in your pocket, and comes in a variety of fun colors.
Buy here: Ravpower (
$16.99)
7. Personalized Record Doormat"Welcome" mats set the tone for your place. This groovy record doormat is perfect for the music loving grad in your family.
Buy here: uncommongoods (
$38)
8. 5 Ingredient CookbookSimple and easy doesn't always scream RAMEN meal. Ditch your dark dorm day eats with these 5 ingredient recipes.
Buy here: fiveingredientcookbook (
$8.99)
9. Wireless Bluetooth Headphones Your active grad will love working out with these Taotronics wireless headphones. Equipped with noise cancellation technology, these headphones are sure to please all audiophiles.
Buy here: Taotronics Use code
48QP24DR and get it now for
$21.9910. Duffle Back-Pack Your post-grad destination could fit in this roomy duffle-bag/backpack hybrid. A portion of the proceeds also aid the WWF organization.
Buy here: uncommongoods (
$42.99)
11. Tweet ClockYour grad will find this Kikkerland clock more fun than their standard iPhone alarm. This unique clock doesn't run on batteries - instead you simply wind the clock every three days and wake up to its pleasant chirping sound.
Buy here: kikkerland (
$75)
12. Hootoo iPhone Flash Drive Your grad will want to capture all their memories of campus life + document their new ventures. Quickly transfer photos or free up storage with this fast (80 MB/s reading and 30 MB/s writing speed) 32gb USB flash-drive.
Buy here: Hootoo Use code
39HCIMFL and get it for just
$35.9913. Tile Bluetooth Tracker For the forgetful grad there's Tile - a bluetooth tracker you can attach to keys, phones, or anything else you tend to misplace.
Buy here: Tile (
$24.99)
14. Portable Grill Set School's out so it's time for some summer love! Grill oysters, burgers, and steaks on this nifty portable grill set.
Buy here: uncommongoods(
$249)
15. Collapsible LED Camping LanternYour grad can face the elements with this light and portable camping lantern. Collapse it to fit in any purse or bag and pop it out when you want to spend all night thinking about the future.
Buy here: Taotronics($7.99)16. Scratch Map Help your grad keep track of all the places they'll explore with this scratch-able map.
Buy here: uncommongoods (
$28.95)
17. Universal Smartphone Lens Graduates, it's time to upgrade your Insta-skills with these universal camera lenses. Take amazing photos of your new dog, job, or country of residence in wide angle, macro, and fish-eye view.
Buy here: Taotronics (
$11.99)
18. Beer Cap Trap (USA) The beer connoisseur can display all their brewery prowess with this beer cap trap. Help your grad with a few caps by pairing this gift with a beer membership.
Buy here: thegrommet (
$49.95)
19. Height Adjustable Laptop TableIf you're doing "work from home" in the office or apartment, give yourself the option to move and stand up with this easily adjustable work table.
Buy here: brookstone (
$299)
20. Amerileather 2 Piece Carry On Set Traveling grads can wanderlust in style with this trendy, 2 piece leather carry-on set.
Buy here: overstock (
$211.99) Visit

Cool Gift Ideas for Every Type of Dad In Your Life

Entertainment

No Ties Here! Get your dad something different this Father's Day with these 19 gift ideas. Cool dads, geeky dads, chefs you name it. They all have their own interests and dad-jokes - and they deserve a gift that reflects that. Cheers to dads everywhere!1. The AudiophileThe sleek VAVA Voom premium speaker contains a booming...

Cool Gift Ideas for Every Type of Dad In Your Life

No Ties Here! Get your dad something different this Father's Day with these 19 gift ideas. Cool dads, geeky dads, chefs you name it. They all have their own interests and dad-jokes - and they deserve a gift that reflects that. Cheers to dads everywhere!
1. The Audiophile The sleek VAVA Voom premium speaker contains a booming 10W subwoofer and two 5W drivers. Full depth sound and three EQ options (party, surround, and classic) ensures that the audiophile in your life can personalize their music style however they like. Pair that with 10 hours of battery and a phone charging slot, your dad will be ready for the summer!
To buy: VAVA ( $99.99 Use code
EE9RNSZK to get an additional 15% off! Offer Valid until Sunday 6/19 )
2. The Organized Dad This Father's day, get a wood charging station that keeps all his important items in one spot, all while charging his favorite tech.
To buy: gifts.com ( $149 )3. The DabblerThere are tons of subscription boxes that contain all sorts of food, clothing, or even skincare items. Get dad started with one of these, some start as low as 10 dollars a month!
To buy: subscriptionaddiction ( $25 )4. The On-The-Go Pop Textured back-pack with compartments for any item you could imagine.
To buy: Old Navy ( $28.00 )5. The Whiskey Lover He can age his favorite whiskey with these personalized whiskey barrels. The barrels alone make charming home decorations.
To buy: uncommongoods ($85 - $200)6. The Geek Give your dad some fun car accessories this Father's day like these geeky family decals.
To buy: ThinkGeek ($14.99)7. The Handy Man This impressive tool boasts 17 functions and is made to be used by a single hand. Awesome! To buy:
Leatherman ($89.90)
8. The Fine Diner Skip the high price tag of restaurants that serve a morsel of flavorful food! Dad will want to try these cool gastronomy recipes at home with this DIY kit.
To buy: Molecule-R ($44.95)9. The Notetaker He can record notes, lectures, or innovative ideas that pop in his head with this super cool Smartpen.
To buy: Livescribe ($113.99)10. The Leisurely One11. The Techie
Smart watches will keep your dad's day organized with a quick click to the wrist. These watches last for 10 hours.
To buy: Pebble ($249.99)12. The Grill Master Nothing pains your pops more than having to clean a gritty bbq grill. Make this chore a little easer with this heavy duty, steam grill brush.
To buy: brookstone ($29.99) 13. The Toss-and-Turner
If pops has trouble sleeping, get him one of these expertly engineered pillows by Casper - designed with the troubled sleeper in mind.
To buy: Casper ($75) 14. The Hobbyist
If he wants to take his photography or video hobbies to the next level, these nifty drones help create awesome birds eye view shots.
To buy: Amazon ($58.19) 15. The Movie Buff
This Lenovo tablet is a game-changer. With a built-in projector, you'll want to use this for an awesome "home theater" system.
To buy: Lenovo ($499.99) 16. The Home-brewer
Don't get your dad any coffee maker. This home-brewing system will be a conversation starter in any household.
To buy: Osaka ($52.99) 17. The Ruffian
Dad can reduce breakage on his beautiful beard with this nourishing beard balm. All natural ingredients include Jojoba, morrocan, and tea tree oil.
To buy: Anjou ($11.99) 18. The Visualizer
Your dad will love to know his phone can become a 3D virtual reality with this VR headset. Pair this with the VAVA Voom this Father's day and you'll have a full surround experience.
To buy: HooToo ($17.50) 19. The Lifestyle Changer
Get your dad fit and healthy by introducing him to some fun snacks that aren't sugar filled!
To buy: bestowed ( starts at $20 )

10 Music Stars You Loved as Teens That Are Now Dads

Entertainment

All our favorite music stars will grow older some day. This probably means more kid-friendly music AND some cute additions on the red carpet. See how your favorite music stars have grown up with our top ten list of pop star dads!1. Justin Timberlake (NSYNC)Embed from Getty ImagesWe all remember JT from hit singles like...

10 Music Stars You Loved as Teens That Are Now Dads

All our favorite music stars will grow older some day. This probably means more kid-friendly music AND some cute additions on the red carpet. See how your favorite music stars have grown up with our top ten list of pop star dads!

1. Justin Timberlake (NSYNC)

We all remember JT from hit singles like "Sexyback" and "Mirrors" and from his time back in one of the most popular boybands, NSYNC. Now, at 35, Justin Timberlake has one child and is still going strong in the music scene. He has definitely become of the most refined and talented musicians of this time with work in both music and acting.

2. Will Smith

More famously known as an actor, Will Smith had a rather successful music career as well. Many will know him for his signature song from his show "Fresh Prince of Bel-Air." Perhaps one of the more famous dads, Will Smith is the father of Jaden Smith and Willow Smith, both of whom have gained fame through film, music, and social media.

3. Billie Joe Armstrong (Green Day)

From the days of punk rock, no one can forget Billie Joe Armstrong and Green Day. Popular with teens from the 90's to the mid 2000's, Green Day was one of the most well known bands. Billie Joe, the lead singer, has two children following in their dad's footsteps in music.

4. Nick Carter (Backstreet Boys)

Not only were they one of the best selling boy bands of all time, Backstreet Boys are famed worldwide. The teen idol of the bunch, Nick Carter, is now a father of one, after his continuing career with Backstreet Boys, a solo career, and various acting roles and TV appearances.

5. Nick Lachey (98 Degrees)

Boy bands were no doubt some of the most popular music artists through the 90's and early 2000's (and they're coming back with groups like One Direction). Nick Lachey has come a long way from 98 Degrees. Multi-platinum success with the boy band, a recurring acting career, and host of the reality show,
The Sing-Off, Nick Lachey can now add
fatherhood to his resume.

6. Usher

People hear Usher and think of some club song staples like "OMG" and "Yeah!" (or perhaps the bringing up of protégé Justin Beiber). Usher gained popularity with his R&B style and is known as large influence for many other artists as well. With songs from the 2000's still popular with teens today, Usher is also a father of two.

7. Eminem

Eminem, known for being one of the most successful rappers of all time, has garnered much popularity as his alias Slim Shady, to working with Rihanna in
Love the Way You Lie. A huge influence for rap artists out there and perhaps one of the greatest recording artists of all time, Eminem is a father of three.

8. Patrick Stump (Fall Out Boy)

Fall Out Boy is iconic for teens with hits like
Sugar, We're Goin Down. Even now, Fall Out Boy is topping the charts with songs from their newest album. Patrick Stump, the lead singer of the group, is known for one of the best pop punk voices (though this not without a lot of struggle) and is now a father of one.

9. Kanye West

Perhaps one of the most infamous recording artists, Kanye West has gained widespread fame through various albums, exploring many different styles of music with rap. Perhaps of one the most influential people in the world, Kanye West and wife Kim Kardashian are parents to North and Saint West.

10. Adam Levine (Maroon 5)

As the lead vocalist of Grammy award winning group, Maroon 5, Adam Levine has continued to be household name with a current stint as a mentor on "The Voice" . With multi-platinum winning songs, Maroon 5 has been heard throughout the 2000's and are still popular with teens of then and of now. Levine announced that he is expecting a child, making him one of the newest dads in the music world. You can find these artists and more on VAVA's nostalgic Throwback Spotify playlist! Listen
HERE

Intro to BGM: The Secrets of Music in Video Games

Entertainment

With the release of Overwatch and The Witcher 3 DLC, this summer may be one of the best times to get into gaming. E3 has also announced some new titles from classics like Final Fantasy and Pokémon. With so much hype surrounding these new releases, it's no wonder gaming has become one of the most popular forms of...

Intro to BGM: The Secrets of Music in Video Games

With the release of
Overwatch and
The Witcher 3 DLC, this summer may be one of the best times to get into gaming. E3 has also announced some new titles from classics like
Final Fantasy and
Pokémon. With so much hype surrounding these new releases, it's no wonder gaming has become one of the most popular forms of art and entertainment. But no game nowadays is complete without its selection of background music. For some, the BGM is a simple addition to video games that's reminiscent of all their favorite childhood memories. However, music has a much deeper and cognitive impact than you may think.

There's no doubt that music can convey a certain emotion. Ever feel relaxed and ready to explore the open world around you? The music is happy and full of energy, basically telling you that you are ready to start your adventure. Ever feel your heart racing as you approach a boss battle or encounter a difficult puzzle? The music rises slowly, getting more tense as you get closer to finally beating the boss. Though you might not be giving your full attention to the BGM, they are secretly hinting at what you should do next in the game (basically free hints to get you going!). When you hear an ugly accent as you approach the entrance to the cave, you know danger is coming. When you hear the music calm down and a happy melody plays, you know you're in a safe place. When you grab an item and you hear triumphant symphony, you know that item is going to be important (anyone else play
Legend of Zelda?)
Now you might be thinking "yeah the music may be playing but it doesn't really change how I play the game." Well if it doesn't affect your game play or performance, your brain still takes in the music. Why is it that intense battles seem to increase your heart rate? Sure, you're at a pivotal section of the game that will change everything but the music further intensifies that. You take in cues from your eyes, your hands hitting the buttons, and your ears hearing the sound effects and the music. Just imagine how much harder these boss fights would be if you were listening to smooth jazz or the bouncy theme from
Super MarioBros! Video game music has become so important and popular that there are now concerts by famous symphonies that feature the original soundtracks from these games. The influence of music intended for the background is so much stronger than you might initially think. Keep a sharp ear for the music during the next releases of
No Man's Sky, Pokemon Sun & Moon, and more! You never know what kinds of musical treasures are waiting to be found!

VAVA Shares "Thank You" Notes To People All Over The United States

Entertainment

The end of the year is all about warm fuzzy feelings and showing appreciation to ones we love. That's why we decided to put a twist on last month's speaker giveaway - asking people to nominate ANOTHER music fan to win the VAVA Voom 20! The rules were simple: tell us why you're thankful for...

VAVA Shares "Thank You" Notes To People All Over The United States

The end of the year is all about warm fuzzy feelings and showing appreciation to ones we love. That's why we decided to put a twist on last month's speaker giveaway - asking people to nominate ANOTHER music fan to win the VAVA Voom 20! The rules were simple: tell us why you're thankful for the nominee, and tell us what song reminds you of them. So many great responses poured in from all over the United States. Of course it wouldn't be a VAVA giveaway without some music - so please enjoy the "thank you" notes and song suggestions from our awesome VAVA Nation community! Happy holidays everyone.
Gerdus V. is my best friend in the world, he was there through my brain tumor and surgery, my ex wife bailing, my father dying and me losing my mind lol. Seriously best dude on the planet and he is raising a 2 year old while going through a divorce. - Anonymous Song choice: Marilyn Manson - Third Day of A Seven Day Binge https://youtu.be/VdV1Zc_PFdg
Jade P. is my youngest sister, and she is truly becoming a wonderful young woman. She grows everyday with a special piece of all of her sisters but also with a vibe of her own. She doesn't see that in herself yet, but she will soon. She is the most supportive and open person to talk to. She listens with no judgments; always has open ears and an open heart. - Jessica P. Song choice: Bruno Mars - Just The Way You Are https://youtu.be/LjhCEhWiKXk
My son Jordan K. is amazing and helpful, even though he works and is in high school. He always finds time to help me out. - TyAnn K. Song choice: Will Smith - Just The Two Of Us https://youtu.be/_WamkRSDeD8
Orges A. is my best friend. I met him my first day of college. I knew no one, and he took me under his wing. He helped me when j was having a tough time with homesickness and I want to thank him for that. - Bobby M. Song choice: The Avett Brothers - The Perfect Space https://youtu.be/wRFe-4kfJpQ
Jay B. is a former president and facilitator (that's 20 years) of support groups for families of the mentally ill. - Merle Song choice: Glen Miller - A String Of Pearls https://youtu.be/8Qq2AV7Wx5w
Shilpa V. is my partner, best friend, and supporter. She does so much for my daughter and me that I could never thank her enough. She always puts everyone else first before herself. - Greg Song choice: Garth Brooks - Unanswered Prayers https://youtu.be/Il4qOQGUGbo
Stevie R. is my autistic son who loves to listen to music everywhere he goes! - Roberta R. (a.k.a Mom) Song choice: Nat King Cole - Unforgettable https://youtu.be/Fy_JRGjc1To
Jennifer P. is my rock, my soulmate, an unselfish dream of a human being that I would be lost without her. Jennifer is also the mother of my young awesome boys. She is the love of my life. - Julio G. Song choice: James Blunt - You're Beautiful https://youtu.be/oofSnsGkops
My dad Mike L. has been with me since day one. He has had such a great influence on me and I am incredibly thankful that he is such a good father. - Alex L. Song choice: Rachel Platten - Stand By You https://youtu.be/bwB9EMpW8eY
Colby C. has always been there for me. He is honest and forward thinking. I appreciate his ability to help other people and dream beyond his own skin. Colby is someone who has seen much trouble and seemingly always pushes through; he inspires me. - Sage S. Song choice: The Mountain Goats - This Year https://youtu.be/eetIgGXH6DA
Michelle R. is my adult daughter. She is very successful in her career (at times almost married to it) but always rembers her Dad. She is a very intelligent, thoughtful and caring person. - James R. Song choice: Oasis - Morning Glory https://youtu.be/Wm54XyLwBAk To listen to this complete playlist, visit
VAVA on SPOTIFY Missed last month's giveaway? Don't worry, we're teaming up with Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children to give away 12 awesome prize packs including movie posters, stickers, custom speakers and more! Details at promo.vavachallenge.com/missperegrine #LetsVAVA

10 Peculiar Musicians That Would Live At Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children

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Musicians come in all colors and stripes, yet this highly creative field is charged with individuals and bands that walk on the wild side and a few that even walk on the weird side. To celebrate our Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children giveaway, we’ve found the most peculiar musical artists in all of music....

10 Peculiar Musicians That Would Live At Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children

Musicians come in all colors and stripes, yet this highly creative field is charged with individuals and bands that walk on the wild side and a few that even walk on the weird side. To celebrate our
Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children giveaway, we’ve found the most peculiar musical artists in all of music. We’re sure all of them have a place in Miss Peregrine’s home.

1. Sia

Pick any popular song of the last few years and you’re likely to find several names behind the magic. We guarantee one of them will be Sia. And after years of shirking the spotlight and celebrity, Sia has emerged as a solo artist in all her peculiar glory. Sporting a giant blonde wig that looks like she’s balancing a haystack on her head, Sia has never let go of her shyness. Sia is so averse to the spotlight that when playing concerts, she’ll perform with her back to the audience, or she’ll cover her face with paint or a paper bag (or maybe both). Yet her talent as a solo artist, and her work with other artists (she wrote Rihanna’s ‘Diamonds’ in only 14 minutes!), means she’ll frequently be in the public eye for years to come.

2. Buckethead

From his creepy mask to the KFC bucket that sits on his head, Buckethead has an unmistakable look that just screams weird. With music spanning just about every genre imaginable (from metal, to bluegrass, to ambient), 256 studio albums under his belt, and features with more than 50 other artists, Buckethead is both progressive and peculiar. Besides, only a man like Buckethead would do the robot and wave nunchuks when performing.

3. Frank Zappa

If you’ve never heard Zappa’s music, you might know him for two others reasons – his crusade against parental advisory warnings in the 80’s (and civil liberties as a whole) and for naming his kids Dweezil, Ahmet, Diva, and Moon Unit Zappa. But if you’re familiar with his catalog, you’ll know it’s singular and peculiar. With nearly 100 albums ranging from guitar pyrotechnics to symphony orchestral masterpieces, Zappa has a dense catalog admired by stoners, nerds, and anyone looking to freak-out.

4. Prince

With his untimely death in 2016, Prince has come under renewed appreciation for his rich catalog, except that’s a catalog that’s largely been unheard! Prince literally has a vault of unreleased music going back to his heyday that he refused to release. Who wouldn’t want to hear that? Prince is even more famous for changing his name to to get out of contractual obligations with his label. With big heels and a big sound, the flamboyant musician definitely has a place on our peculiar list.

5. The Shaggs

Championed by their father who - after following a palm-reading prophecy from his own mother - pushed his daughters into a music career, the Shaggs have become (in)famous for their sheer ineptitude and lack of music ability. With a lot of heart, and not a lot of musical chops, the Shaggs have become much loved over the years despite (or maybe because of) their musical talent. Even Nirvana front man, Kurt Cobain, loved them.

6. The Residents

Who are the Residents? Since the 1970s when the Residents first became active, no one knows who is behind an impressive number of music and art pieces. All that people know of the Residents is how they appear in public – as costumed eyeballs wearing top hats and tails. With an obsessive fan base that devour everything from this prolific art project/band, the residents are real odd-balls.

7. Björk

Is there anyone that doesn’t love Björk? From Iceland – which in itself seems like a peculiar place for a superstar – Björk is a master of nearly all musical styles that includes pop to experimental music, alternate rock to the avant-garde. Typically sporting elaborate costumes that veer into full blown art pieces, Björk makes Lady Gaga look normal. With a wide-ranging talent that doesn’t just include music but also acting and art, and blessed with a beautiful yet otherworldly look from her Inuit heritage, many have wondered if the superhumanly talented Björk is even from Earth!

8. Beethoven

You might laugh at seeing Beethoven’s name here, but he was a weird guy. After waking up at dawn and working in the morning, Beethoven would prepare his morning coffee. Nothing peculiar about that, right? Except each morning Beethoven would count every coffee bean. All 60 of them. Every time. But it was afterwards that that Beethoven would engage in his most unusual habit – bathing. For Beethoven, bathing was of paramount importance and he hated to be interrupted. When bathing, Beethoven would pour large jugs of water over his body while humming very loudly. He would spill so much water onto the ground that it would seep through the floor into the rooms below angering his landlord. Very peculiar.

9. Sun Ra

Not even David Bowie’s alter ego, Ziggy Stardust, can claim to be the first extraterrestrial musician, that honor goes to Sun Ra, the jazz composer and bandleader. Crafting an impressive mythology around himself and his band, the Arkestra, Sun Ra would play mind-bending jazz while adorning Egyptian headdresses and regal gold robes. Whether or not his claim that he is originally from Saturn holds any weight, Sun Ra has created an entire cosmic universe around himself and his music that will live on.

10. Autopsy Report of Drowned Shrimp

Japan has a reputation for being a peculiar place, and what sort of list like ours would omit some of the more… unusual musical acts from Japan. Meet Autopsy Report of Drowned Shrimp. If the name isn’t strange enough then their costumes certainly are. From the Kansai region, the band is reportedly inspired by
kaiju monsters (think Godzilla or Ultraman) to dress as giant psychedelic shrimps while playing funk and some other strange hybrid of music. Despite their hard to find presence in the West, we definitely recommend checking them out. Looking for more peculiarity? Check out our
Miss Peregrine Giveaway where you can get $5 off Miss Peregrine’s Home For Peculiar Children with the purchase of the
VAVA Voom 20 or
VAVA Voom 21, or
VAVA Flex. #StayPeculiar !

VAVA Christmas Sale - Best Gift Ideas That Won’t Break The Bank

Entertainment

It’s that time of the year again - everybody’s scratching their heads trying to think of the perfect Christmas gift. You know how it goes: different strokes for different folks. But when in doubt, remember what 1970s American folk singer-songwriter John Denver once said: “Music does bring people together”.When it comes to music, VAVA is...

VAVA Christmas Sale - Best Gift Ideas That Won’t Break The Bank

It’s that time of the year again - everybody’s scratching their heads trying to think of the perfect Christmas gift. You know how it goes: different strokes for different folks. But when in doubt, remember what 1970s American folk singer-songwriter John Denver once said: “
Music does bring people together”. When it comes to music, VAVA is the way to go. Come check out these two VAVA devices that are currently on sale on Amazon and will make some great, no-fail Christmas gifts for all music lovers.
VAVA Voom 20 Bluetooth Speaker Get It Now for $59.99 $49.99 from December 16 to December 29 What makes the
VAVA Voom 20 Bluetooth Speaker so special? How about
dual 8W drivers,
two passive subwoofers, and an
advanced bass equalizer that’ll squeeze every last bit of "thump" out of your music. The VAVA Voom 20 streams clear, crisp CD quality sound thanks to the built-in
aptX codec and
Bluetooth 4.0 connectivity. To top it all, its elegant, refined build is sturdier than it looks. The speaker sports an
IPX5 rubberized construction that’ll allow its fortunate owner to take it by the water without worrying about the accidental splashing. With an outstanding
4.6 stars out of 5 on Amazon, here is what our customers have to say about the
VAVA Voom 21 Bluetooth Speaker:“Overall look and feel, from the opening the box, to the accessories and the speaker, itself just says - quality. Beautifully restrained, simple design, and terrific build quality.” The
VAVA Voom 21 also amazed this customer in his 5-star review:
“It sounds just as good as my Bose in my small office and I think is much easier to connect via Bluetooth to my phone.”VAVA Flex In-Ear HeadphonesGet It Now for $17.99 $14.99 from December 20 to January 3 Not all environments allow you to boost your songs through a stereo speaker. Yet, you may not be ready to compromise your music quality by using the ordinary earbuds that came with your smartphone. That’s exactly where the
VAVA Flex In-Ear Headphones shine. Their
breakthrough design allows you to switch from normal to bass mode by simply rotating the ear buds. A little twist and the bass mode will kick in with
two mighty 8mm drivers that tune reality out and pour your tunes in. Whoever you’ll purchase the
VAVA Flex In-Ear Headphones for will enjoy hands-free calling on the go thanks to the
inline controls. With
143 reviews and an impressive average rating of
4.3 stars, our customers are praising the VAVA Flex In-Ear Headphones for punching well above their price tag:
“These feel (and sound) a lot more expensive than they are. Very impressed.”“I loved the earbuds! They have good quality and it was for a reasonable the price!” Whether you’re shopping for your little brother that listens to Spotify more than he does to your mom (especially when she asks him to clean his room…), or for your old man that keeps saying he can’t hear who’s calling because his smartphone’s speaker simply isn’t loud enough, both the
VAVA Voom 20 and the
VAVA Flex will make some great Christmas gift ideas for the whole family.

Why Your Baby Needs a Night Light: A Guide to Better Sleeping

Entertainment

Did you know that a night light is as beneficial to the kids as it is to the parents? While the main function may be to emit a soft glow that delicately illuminates the surroundings without preventing sleep, the latest models of LED light for babies come with a vast range of features that make...

Why Your Baby Needs a Night Light: A Guide to Better Sleeping

Did you know that a night light is as beneficial to the kids as it is to the parents? While the main function may be to emit a soft glow that delicately illuminates the surroundings without preventing sleep, the latest models of LED light for babies come with a vast range of features that make them a valuable ally for both the parents and kids in a variety of daily situations. Read on to learn the importance of having a night light in your daily life and learn how to get the most out of it.
Why is a Night Light Useful Night lights come with a variety of practical uses for the daily life. These include:

Comfort kids and young children who are afraid of the dark.

Aid parents in checking in on their baby by softly illuminating the environment.

Prevent your toddler from crying when he or she wakes up at night by recognizing a familiar environment.

Illuminate the changing table for midnight diaper changes.

Advantages for the Babies Aiming to relieve nyctophobia (fear of the dark), especially in young children, night lights emit a delicate, soothing glow that reveals the overall layout of a room without requiring for a major light to be switched on. This reassures the kids by providing a sense of familiarity and overall safety that helps them fall asleep. When the infant wakes up at night, he or she won’t feel scared by finding himself immersed in a dark, unknown environment. On the contrary, the kid may be able to entertain himself for a while by taking in the view of the room.
Advantages for the Parents Night lights provide a dim, non-invasive lighting that enables you to conveniently check in on your kid without risking of waking him or her up by switching on a harsh overhead light. While it is a given that you’ll suffer from broken sleep when you have a newly born baby, the delicate illumination provided by a night light will prevent you from tripping over stairs, obstacles, or even pets on your way to the nursery. Once your night duty as a parent is accomplished, relying on a night light to see through the dark will make it easier for you to return to sleep. As opposed to bright lights that cause your brain to become alert and active, a dim night light in your baby’s nursery will provide enough illumination without jarring you awake. Ultimately, night lights use less electricity then ceiling lights. Unlike the option to leave the lights on outside of the child’s room with the door slightly ajar, using a night light will provide a more uniform and less invasive lighting while allowing you to save on the power bill.
What to Look for in a Night Light While baby night lights come in different sizes and shapes to best suit your child’s age, the type of environment, etc., some basic features are a must to look for when shopping for a night light.
Safe Materials With babies that tend to chew themselves to sleep on virtually anything, being this their thumbs, a teddy bear, or their favorite blanket, it is important that the night light they’ll be handling is made of certified safe materials. Look for the specifications of the device and make sure it’s realized by using safe plastics, such as ABS and PP materials. While a ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) construction presents a higher melting point that will securely withstand the heat generated by the light source, PP (Polypropylene) plastics feature an elevated resistance to many chemical solvents as well as moisture. The latter is what baby bottles are made of.
Friendly Illumination While some older models may still feature incandescent light bulbs or neon panels, most recent night lights come with a LED as their main light source. In addition to be ecofriendly and allow you to save electricity, this low-cost illumination provides a more stable, uniform light beam that does not hurt the eyes. The result is that your baby will find himself in a warmly illuminated atmosphere that will help him doze off instead of keeping him awake.
Easy Operation A night light can contribute to your child’s development in different ways. Besides helping him get a good night’s sleep, the operation of the lamp can be a practical way to improve his learning capabilities. While an infant will simply benefit from the nocturnal illumination you set for him, when growing the child will be able to manage this by himself. A lamp that’s easy to operate, one that features a series of touch controls instead of buttons for instance, can be a fruitful opportunity for your kid to learn how to use it and become more autonomous in this regard.
Extra Functionality Just like our smartphones, computers, TV screens, etc., the more you can do with a baby night light, the better. When shopping for this type of device, check out what features it comes with. Some useful ones might be:

Timer

Waterproofing

LED Carrousel

Brightness Control

Touch Sensitive Operation

Other ways to use a Night Light More advanced baby night lights come with some added functionalities that allow them to operate in different types of situations besides helping you kids fall asleep.
A Light to Read Most parents know how important it is to set the right atmosphere when reading a kid to sleep. A night light, especially one whose brightness can be adjusted, will provide a suffused, soft lighting that’s enough for you to read but won’t keep your baby awake until you run out of night stories.
A Light to Set the Mood Whether it is to dimly brighten a room when watching TV, or to replace the hazardous traditional candles to make the right atmosphere for a Halloween party, a romantic dinner, etc., a night light, or a combination of multiple units, is a valid option that will get the job done while adding a touch of originality to the occasion.
A Light to Explore Increase the brightness level of your night light and this will double as a torch to illuminate dark areas during a power outage, if case of emergencies, etc. Add a waterproof construction and the lamp will be your best source of illumination when camping with the whole family. While providing the type of warm, soft illumination that will reassure your kids to sleep, a night light represents an extremely handy solution for the parents too. Whether it is to conveniently check in on the sleeping toddlers without waking them up, or to find the way to the nursery while avoiding potential obstacles and preventing a trip hazard, night lights have slowly become a must have in any household to facilitate the parents’ duty and brighten the kids’ development.

Top 5 Reasons to Make the Switch to an All LED Home

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If you’re still using old-fashioned, incandescent light bulbs you’re doing neither you nor the environment a favor. While these might have been a revolutionary invention at the end of the 1800s when Edison filed a patent for the first practical light source of this kind, the more recent iterations of LED light outclass the standard...

Top 5 Reasons to Make the Switch to an All LED Home

If you’re still using old-fashioned, incandescent light bulbs you’re doing neither you nor the environment a favor. While these might have been a revolutionary invention at the end of the 1800s when Edison filed a patent for the first practical light source of this kind, the more recent iterations of LED light outclass the standard fluorescent or halogen alternatives in every possible way. Check out the top 5 reasons that make LED lights the most energy-conscious, environmentally friendly choice in terms of interior / exterior illumination and learn why you should make the switch to an all LED home.
1.Energy Efficiency With increasing costs of electricity forecasted to grow by
2.6% in 2017, LED lighting technologies have a more and more relevant advantage with regard to energy efficiency. These use up to 50% less power than standard fluorescent or halogen alternatives. The shape in which the LED bulbs are designed – hemispherically rather than spherically like the more traditional halogen ones – allows them to emit the light beam in the correct direction while minimizing light / energy waste. In terms of the actual figures, LEDs utilize 80% of the energy they receive to generate light while only 20% of this energy is wasted during the process. LED lighting options provide the same amount of light as fluorescent or halogen bulbs while utilizing much less energy.
2.Longer Lifespan While the lifetime expectancy of the standard incandescent light bulbs is only about 1,000 hours of usage, LED technology has an average lifespan of up to 50,000 hours. This is due to the fact that LEDs don’t have internal filaments that might unexpectedly fail, but come with a solid-state lighting that’s designed for longer use. As such, purchasing a LED light bulb is more of an investment, knowing that this will last for years (if not even decades) and eliminate the added cost required for maintenance and replacement workloads.
3.Ecofriendly In addition to the valuable differences in terms of energy efficiency and lifespan mentioned above, LED lighting is the greenest form of illumination by being entirely toxic-free. Unlike CFLs (compact fluorescent lamps) and other energy efficient lighting options that contain mercury and require you to dispose of them in specialized locations, LEDs do not contain any harmful, toxic component. While this helps prevent any potential health harm, it also makes the LED panels 100% recyclable and easier to dispose. Before your LED light does need to be disposed though, this will have served for a considerable amount of time. Thanks to its long-lasting usage expectancy, one LED light bulb can save material and production of up to 25 incandescent bulbs. Ultimately, another advantage for the environment is measured by the reduced emission of CO2. Where 30 incandescent light bulbs release about 2,500 kg of CO2, sulfur oxide, and nuclear waste per year, LEDs only produce approximately 200 kg annually.
4.Color & Design Flexibility LED lights come in an infinite variety of shapes and designs and this makes them a highly versatile solution for both residential and commercial illumination. While the multiple shapes and sizes allow the LED panels to suit placements where the more traditional fluorescent or halogen bulbs would not fit, their enhanced control flexibility enables you to create some remarkable lighting effects. LEDs can be adjusted in terms of color temperature, brightness, and even heat distribution. It’s possible to fully control the LED illumination system via built-in timers, remotes, or even your home WLAN. Apart from an esthetical benefit, variable color temperatures and brightness intensities have a fundamental role in the so-called LED mood illumination. This is already being used in airplanes to allow for more natural sleep patterns, in classrooms to boost the students’ awareness and learning abilities, and more.
5.Safer to Use Some of the aforementioned features in addition to some extra ones make LED light bulbs an overall safer type of illumination.
Eye-Friendly By emitting a more uniform, stable lighting that won’t flicker or randomly vary in intensity, LED panels provide a softer, yet efficient light beam that won’t hurt the eyes. A consequential benefit coming from a reduced eyestrain is that LED bulbs can safely be used for longer, whether the extra light is needed to concentrate at work, to study, or simply to enjoy a good read.
Cool to the Touch LED panels distribute the heat uniformly and never overheat. While being essential to their longer longevity, this feature makes them safer to use in the way that even kids can securely handle a LED night light, desk lamp, etc. without fearing of getting sore scalds and burns.
Sturdier Build LED lighting can take a beating. As opposed to both CFLs and their incandescent predecessors that would shatter or crack from bumps and vibrations, LEDs are simply more durable. Their rugged housing allows them to be installed in a wider range of locations, indoors as well as outdoors where traditional lighting may suffer damage caused by the elements.
Mercury-Free While previously mentioned in connection to the fully recyclability of the LED lights, the lack of mercury makes this type of illumination safer for the users too. A toxic-free composition enables you to let your kid sleep with his LED baby night light without worrying that this may crack and expose your little one to contaminating components.
Learn more about baby night lights by reading our blog Why Your Baby Needs a Night Light: A Guide to Better Sleeping. Coming as an additional bonus, should a LED panel break, there won’t be any hazardous mercury mess to clean up and dispose. Whether it is to save some extra money on the power bill or as a result of your environmentally friendly consciousness, making the switch to a fully LED-powered habitation is the kind of decision you won’t regret and both Mother Nature and your dear ones will thank you for that.

If you thought that a higher price tag unconditionally equals a better Bluetooth speaker, you could not be more wrong. Featuring solid hardware, an array of convenient, built-in features, and allowing the users to fully customize the audio experience to their liking, the award-winning VAVA VOOM 21 Wireless Speaker sets itself as a valid option...

If you thought that a higher price tag unconditionally equals a better Bluetooth speaker, you could not be more wrong. Featuring solid hardware, an array of convenient, built-in features, and allowing the users to fully customize the audio experience to their liking, the award-winning VAVA VOOM 21 Wireless Speaker sets itself as a valid option for those who seek best in class audio quality while trying not to drain their bank account. Read on and learn why the VAVA VOOM 21 Wireless Speaker provides better audio, more extensive functionalities, and an overall more complete user experience than your standard Bluetooth speaker while coming at a third of the price.
Rich Powerful Sound No matter what tunes you play, these will sound dull if there’s not the proper hardware to stream them with. Coming with an array of 2 x 5W drivers, 1 x 10W subwoofer, and 2 passive radiators, the VAVA VOOM 21 has all it takes to provide a rich, full sound while preventing distortion.

Each of the dual 5W drivers reproduces a different part of the audible frequency range for a more complete, high fidelity audio

Two passive radiators removed of all unnecessary “guts” allow the passage of air and enable the woofer to produce more audible bass frequencies

Stellar Battery Life Whether the speaker is being used to stream music at a party or festival, or reproduce audio for an immersive surround effect while watching movies, the fun will soon end if it runs out of battery. At VAVA, we packed a massive 6,700 mAh lithium-ion rechargeable battery into the VOOM 21 that allows for up to 10 hours of music streaming or hands-free calling.
Power to Share The speaker’s vast battery capacity allows for this to double as a portable charger. By means of the built-in 5V/1A output, the VAVA VOOM 21 can be connected to other mobile devices to power them when a socket is not available. A common scenario would be during a party or picnic where the speaker’s spare power enables you to recharge your phone without needing to carry an extra powerbank in your backpack.
Three EQ Modes to Choose Unlike other speakers that don’t allow the users to alter the preset values of bass, midrange, and treble, the VOOM 21 enables you to further customize the audio experience by choosing between three preinstalled, differently tweaked EQ modes:

Classic: Bass, mid, and high frequencies are finely balanced for a crisp, uniform sound

Party: Brings out the bass for a fuller, more powerful audio reproduction

Surround: Emphasizes high and bass frequencies while adding an immersive effect ideal for gaming, movies, and more

Depending on what genre of music you are listening to and what sound frequencies are predominant, choosing an equalization mode that emphasizes certain sound values over others allows for the audio to perform at its best. In addition to better audio, the listeners get to further personalize it based on the situation, their mood, or simply their liking.
Learn more about customizable audio by reading our blog EQ Mode: What it is and why your speaker needs it.Award Winning Design First exemplary of a legacy of customer-centric designed devices realized in collaboration with San Francisco based Y Studios, the VAVA VOOM 21 has been awarded the internationally renowned product design prize
Red Dot in 2016. “The integral part of our design process, which we call Culture-driven Design, is that we look beyond the user to focus on the surrounding environment and lifestyle in order to deliver a solution that is Useful, Beautiful and Meaningful” says Wai-Loong Lim, founder and CEO of Y Studios. “If you look at the Voom, you can see that it’s a timeless design consisting of very few parts, and those few parts work together in tight harmony to deliver an experience that fits the fluid lifestyles of the user culture we are targeting”.
Get the know Wai-Loong Lim, the designer behind the VAVA VOOM 21. The VAVA VOOM 21 features a minimalistic design that’s shredded of any superfluous detail in order to provide the user with an intuitive, straightforward approach to control the audio. While the buttons are fully accessible by being on top, the speaker grill runs all around the device for a 360-degree audio experience that reaches the users no matter where they’re standing. The sleek, matte black finish contributes to an elegant look that easily blends in no matter where placed, being this the living room, the studio, etc. When shopping for a portable audio speaker, numerous are the variables to take into account. These include but are not limited to the hardware specifications, design, features, ideal usage, and of course your own personal feeling. Yet believing that a higher price tag corresponds to an overall better sound experience is amongst the most misleading myths one can encounter when on the market for an audio device. The VAVA VOOM 21 is a valuable option that will please all audiophiles and music enthusiasts by providing a solid specs sheet, an exclusive award-winning design, and simply great audio quality without breaking the bank.

VAVA's Featured Artist of the Week: dpeshMo

Featured Artists

To top off our celebration of International Women's Month, the VAVA team sat down with Illinois native and current city chick dpeshMo to talk about women, tech, and how her passion for DJing fits into all of this.The tech and start-up route is a career path that seems to rub elbows with every other occupation out...

VAVA's Featured Artist of the Week: dpeshMo

To top off our celebration of International Women's Month, the VAVA team sat down with Illinois native and current city chick dpeshMo to talk about women, tech, and how her passion for DJing fits into all of this. The tech and start-up route is a career path that seems to rub elbows with every other occupation out there. Need health advice, news, and food delivery? We’ve got just the apps for you. dpeshMo or Mo Kudeki rode the tech train fresh out of college . She packed her things and joined the Twitter team as a software engineer – destined to code her way through SF...sort of.
Thanks to her Beatles lovin’ parents, Mo was exposed to the delights of music at an early age. At 7 she was already mastering the cello and during her teens, she was playing string trio in her school’s orchestra. Despite her strong background in classical instruments, Mo would take a break from music before entering college. Her days at the University of Illinois would consist of partying hard, and studying even harder. It seems like her studying paid off. After landing a sweet gig at Twitter, Mo Kudeki moved from her small, Illinois town to the culture packed, music-scape of San Francisco. Here she would make friends and soak up the DJ scene, reigniting her passion in music and becoming an artist herself:

"My first gig was at a friend’s party. I never DJed before that and nobody knew I was less experienced. I was fearless!”

“Fearless” is unabashedly fitting for Mo. As a woman in the male dominant world of tech and DJing, you really have to be. That’s not to say there hasn’t been any progress. The DJ weighs in:

"I think there’s definitely been more conversations about female issues. Lots of artists like Alison Wonderland showed their support for Ke$ha. I’ve experienced sexism as an engineer but I think the problems are definitely talked about more.”

Another contributor to her headstrong attitude might be accredited to Burning Man, a week-long festival rooted in self-expression and reliance.

"Going to Burning Man was life-changing. When you’re walking around and exploring all the art and music, you become super motivated and it’s just magical."

All that self-empowerment and appreciation amongst “burners” contributed to her big career move. After four great years at Twitter, Mo Kudeki decided to join on as the lead iOS engineer for VINA, a start-up app empowering women and bringing them together through shared interests. Sort of like a super cool “Tindr” for girl friends. When she’s not busy bringing the ladies together or playing at your favorite SF spots, Mo loves hiking, watching beauty tutorials (yass) and kicking it with her besties.

Every week, VAVA is bringing you the latest on the newest talent. To hear the songs that move them, visit our Spotify account by searching VAVA SOUND and click on Featured Artists. You'll find dpeshMo's favorite jams and more!

From the Suits to the Studio: Why Venture Capitalist Peter Su Quit His Job for Music

Featured Artists

Not everyone is fortunate enough to love his or her day job. You might be sitting there right now, thinking about Chipotle lunch, where you’ll apply to next, or if this career is even for you. Meeting people like singer-songwriter Peter Su will inspire you to make that big move. As a former investment banker...

From the Suits to the Studio: Why Venture Capitalist Peter Su Quit His Job for Music

Not everyone is fortunate enough to love his or her day job. You might be sitting there right now, thinking about Chipotle lunch, where you’ll apply to next, or if this career is even for you. Meeting people like singer-songwriter Peter Su will inspire you to make that big move. As a former investment banker at Goldman Sachs, he’s had plenty of time to do some serious desk-thinking.
Peter is a familiar face amongst the DIY singing community. His light and soulful voice has graced crowds all over the L.A street, bar, and songwriter scene - recently culminating in a sold out release show at the infamous Hotel Cafe, LA's premier songwriter venue. So what made him want to trade in the suit and tie for a path that was so uncertain?

“I realized I was blindly ambitious.”

Music has always been a major part of Peter’s life. He’s trained in a number of classical instruments and in his first year at UC Berkeley, he was the “I want to start a band!” guy. But with societal pressures pushing many college students into a “conventional” future, Peter would soon be joining campus organizations that were designed to be more “career” friendly and halt the idea of living a musician’s life altogether.

“After I got the job at Goldman Sachs, everyone was congratulating me. Even though it was supposed to be a happy moment, I couldn’t help but feel a little empty. It just didn’t feel that great.”

It wasn’t until he was staring down from the “top floor of the tallest building in SF” that he table-flipped (metaphorically) and decided to fulfill his true passions. Peter’s newfound drive for music pushed him to leave San Francisco and start anew. What better place to relocate to than the entertainment hub of Los Angeles? The bright-eyed hopeful packed his bags and set off to L.A, destined to write a gazillion songs (mostly bad) and find the gems in between.
Those gems became diamonds. His successfully funded album
Lions on the Beach was named a Kickstarter Staff Pick and was even recorded in the famed Sunset Sound studio (think
Beach Boys and
Prince). Despite so many great opportunities coming his way, Peter still keeps a humble, ride-the-waves attitude about his purpose in life.

“Don’t think about what your gifts are doing for your life internally. Think about how you can use your talents to contribute good to the world around you. This is how you’ll find fulfillment.”

For more about Peter's story, check him out online at www.petersumusic.com and follow him at @petersumusic on Instagram, Facebook, and Snapchat for more day-to-day shenanigans.

If you want to get the scoop on other tracks Peter listens to, make sure you check out our Spotify account at VAVASOUND and click the Featured Artists Tab. There you’ll find Peter’s awesome playlist and more!
-Team VAVA

Over the course of a few years, powerlifting champ and Myprotein sponsored athlete Cynthia Leu has accumulated an Instagram following of 55k+ users. Well she’s not just another beauty with tons of adoring fans. Cynthia’s Instagram account attracts a unique mixture of fitness gurus, foodie lovers, beer connoisseurs, and self-love pioneers. Meet the newest VAVA...

Over the course of a few years, powerlifting champ and Myprotein sponsored athlete Cynthia Leu has accumulated an Instagram following of 55k+ users. Well she’s not just another beauty with tons of adoring fans. Cynthia’s Instagram account attracts a unique mixture of fitness gurus, foodie lovers, beer connoisseurs, and self-love pioneers. Meet the newest VAVA partner who’s facing life’s challenges head on!
Stereotypes, Haters, and Other Negatives That Need to Take a Seat Cynthia doesn’t have time for negative vibes. When she’s not busy being a 2 time USPA (United States Powerlifting Association) Best Lifter Recipient and a 7 times USPA Gold Medalist, this young lady is working her butt off as a corporate recruiter for Young’s Market (one of the largest spirits and wine distributors in the United States). Like many success stories, hers isn't without a few road bumps. Check out this preview trailer by director Frank Yang: https://youtu.be/OXU1bLw_UiU?t=1s Growing up, there was no escaping the comments about her weight, looks, race, femininity (“Asian culture appreciates thin women,” she lamented), or the idea that “you don’t have to do that because a man can do that for you.” To instill a sense of pride and accomplishment, Cynthia became a US Marine Corps Reservist and proved to herself that any gender can be super bada$$.
Despite all this girl-power, dealing with a bad break-up can take a toll on anyone’s positive path. While attending UC Davis, Cynthia became bulimic and held hazardous views about her body image. To top it off, she had to try and ignore her Internet haters and their nasty comments throughout social media. No one could have predicted that a spontaneous decision to join a powerlifting meet would be the positive change she needed.
Now Cynthia focuses on beating personal records (in 2014 she deadlifted 330 lbs while in 2015 she beat that record by deadlifting 347 lbs ), working a job with awesome perks (yum wine!) and doing whatever makes her happy.

“My worth is not tied to my physical appearance. I have a mantra that I live by tattooed on my body. It states 'In a mirror we find a reflection of our appearances, in a heart we find a reflection of our soul'.”

To get the best recommendations on staying fit, great brews to try, or even some cooking inspo, make sure to follow Cynthia Leu on Instagram
@cynthialeu or check out her Facebook page at
https://www.facebook.com/cynthialeu Need a workout playlist? Follow
VAVASOUND on Spotify and you’ll find awesome playlists from every Featured Artist Friday post. -Team VAVA

Life of Dillon Tells VAVA Why Pursuing Your Passions Can Move You Across Continents

Featured Artists

Let’s kick off the last weekend of Coachella Valley Music Festival with our favorite, electro-acoustic boys of summer! Life of Dillon sat down with us to talk about the song that brought them from the Queen’s land to the U.S., why their totally opposite music tastes makes them whole, and why they can’t wait for...

Life of Dillon Tells VAVA Why Pursuing Your Passions Can Move You Across Continents

Let’s kick off the last weekend of Coachella Valley Music Festival with our favorite, electro-acoustic boys of summer! Life of Dillon sat down with us to talk about the song that brought them from the Queen’s land to the U.S., why their totally opposite music tastes makes them whole, and why they can’t wait for us to hear what’s been cooking in the studio.
Life of Dillon - "Overload" https://youtu.be/61bG9OVn7-w Whether you’re bumpin’ songs on Spotify, dancing at a house-party, or browsing Youtube music videos– chances are you’ve heard of the uber popular song “Overload”. The debut single from Life of Dillon’s
Prologue album is undoubtedly catchy, and although the boys are incredibly thankful for the song’s success – they’ve got a whole lot more in store. Let’s rewind at the start of this wild ride. The faces behind English band LOD – that’s David Keiffer and Joe Griffith (Robert Griffith recently left to focus on music production) – have been besties since boarding school and involved in music for as long as they can remember. Despite coming from a musical family, Joe was en route to becoming a lawyer “to make [his] mum happy”, while David was busy taking industrial design engineering classes. What pushed them to pursue music seriously? David gave a word of advice:

“Figure out what you want to do by figuring out what you would do for free. You’ll do it a thousand times over and love it.”

Joe smiled and agreed:

“There’s a thousand other things you can do besides what you ‘think’ you should do – but people are just scared.”

These realizations would strip them from a traditional work path and have LOD perfecting their craft full-time. The hardest part was getting discovered. For the longest time, David and Joe were writing songs for other artists while Robert was the man behind production. When “Overload” (a song they hadn’t intended to keep) fell into the hands of a major American label, the excitement behind the song catapulted them from the U.K. to the U.S. – not just as the songwriters behind the hit, but also as the stars. [caption id="attachment_410" align="alignnone" width="640"]
Life of Dillon with the VAVA Voom[/caption] After an awesome tour with “No” singer Meghan Trainor and becoming the first artists to be signed under Adam Alpert's (manager of popular DJ duo Chainsmokers) label , the pair is currently working on an album they hope will be a more “true reflection” of Life of Dillon.

“David’s influences stem from artists like John Mayer and my favorite artist is Michael Jackson. David is more into country and rock and I’m more into R&B and soul. It’s really great that we have different music tastes and it makes for a well-rounded sound.”

VAVA can’t wait to hear this perfect combo of styles. To check out more music from Life of Dillon and follow their daily musings, peep them on social media at: Website:
lifeofdillon Twitter:
@lifeofdillon Facebook:
@lifeofdillon Instagram:
@lifeofdillon Snapchat: @lifeofdillon Want to be a part of the VAVA Nation? Check out our @Spotify page to learn more!

Meet The Vegabonds : Southern Rock's Artists to Watch

Featured Artists

The Vegabonds are giving away a VAVA speaker to a lucky fan! For contest details, click here Check out their music video for "The Hammer"7 years ago, six friends attending Alabama's Auburn University started playing at frat parties all over campus. Describing themselves as an Americana/Southern Rock/ Rock 'n' Roll band, The Vegabonds have come a...

Meet The Vegabonds : Southern Rock's Artists to Watch

Check out their music video for "The Hammer"
7 years ago, six friends attending Alabama's Auburn University started playing at frat parties all over campus. Describing themselves as an Americana/Southern Rock/ Rock 'n' Roll band, The Vegabonds have come a long way since their college jamming days. The loss of a few members, two European tours, multiple album releases, and the addition of a classically trained pianist (the first person to answer their Craigslist ad!) has all led up to their biggest tour yet. Join us as we sit down with The Vegabonds frontman Daniel Allen and reflect on the journey that's led the band to their latest record,
What We're Made Of.
[caption id="attachment_441" align="alignnone" width="1000"]
(Daniel Allen (lead vocals/guitar), Bryan Harris (drums), Richard Forehand (guitar/vocals/pedal steel/mandolin), Paul Bruens (bass) and Beau Cooper (piano/organ/vocals)[/caption]

VAVA: With five members in your band, you must all have varying tastes in music. How does this influence the ultimate "Vegabonds" sound?

Daniel: We all come from different musical backgrounds but we're all Southern guys. In my hometown, all they played on the radio was Country music or Rap. I didn't actually get into "music that moves me" now until I got to college. Once I was on my own, I researched what I thought was good music. Ya know, everybody starts with The Beatles. Now I like guys like Jason Issbel, Sturgell Simpson, Chris Stapleton - Country artists who are more edgy and teetering on Rock 'n' Roll. Paul likes more 80's Rock 'n' Roll and Richard grew up liking Southern Rock like Pink Floyd and The Allman Brothers Band. Brian likes more hard rock - (being a drummer I'm sure you can understand that).

VAVA: It's kind of crazy how Beau joined up with you guys, right? Tell us about that.

Daniel: We had six guys in the band...two of them dropped out two years ago. We were looking for a new keyboard player and we actually didn’t want to break the band up. We put out a Craigslist ad in Nashville and Beau was the first one to answer the ad. It was just a blessing and we definitely wouldn't have been able to put out this record without him. VAVA: How would you describe the evolution from your earlier albums to your most recent recording?

Daniel: We were really jammy when we were playing for Frat and Sorority parties, but when we got to Nashville we wanted to become better Songwriters and tell a story - unlike our earlier albums. We wanted to use money from our cover-song gigs to be able to fund our own projects. Thankfully, Dear Revolution had a great response and Kickstarter backing. One of our singles, "Shaky Hands", even went to number 1 on the independent charts list. Something good was definitely happening. That’s when we hit up the touring company in Europe. They accepted us on the condition that we came up with some new material...so we wrote Southern Sons!

VAVA: What are the fans like in Europe?

Daniel: In Europe they think you're huge because we made it over to their side. They get into the music more and let themselves feel free. They love Rock 'n' Roll. It's hard to find a huge Rock 'n' Roll fanbase here (the U.S). Now-a-days, there's so many different genres out there. We've had to create our own genre which is part Americana, part Southern Rock, part Rock 'n' Roll, and part Singer-Songwriter. When we got back from Europe, they wanted us back again and that's when we released a special EP.

VAVA: What changes were happening that led up to your latest record?

Daniel: I lost my grandfather December of 2014. It was a big change and I was really close to him. 2014 was also the year that two of the guys left the band (who were also our close friends) and we were in a slump. Then we got Beau and it reignited the passion we had for the band.

VAVA: Was there a big moment where you were like "Hey … this is our career. We're doing this and we're really seeing our hard work being paid off"?

Daniel: When our song "Shaky Hands" hit number 1 it was great, but I didn't appreciate it. I was thinking "Well of course it went number 1, it's a bad a** song." Whenever we got on a plane to go to Europe however, that’s when we thought we really made it. Another proud moment was when we went in the studio for 7 days and put out this record.

VAVA: So now, you've toured the world for 7 years, what has been some notable places?

Daniel: Orange Beach, Alabama. We love playing by the beach. As far as favorite shows, we got to play at the House of Blues in Chicago. There's gold just everywhere and I'm like "what in the hell, like where are we at?" Kind of intimidating haha, I think we're in the wrong spot.

VAVA: What's been the most difficult part of your journey so far and what has been the most awesome?

Daniel: Most difficult part is probably just the energy to keep going. Having your bandmates and good friends saying "I can't do this" and moving on ... we're going to ask ourselves "Should we keep doing this?" We had a meeting after they quit and we agreed to keep going. Obviously another downside is never having any money...but it always seems to work out!

VAVA: Have you guys already given thought to your next album?

Daniel: Once I'm done with a record, I'm over it. We play it so many times I'm over it, but going on tour reignites the passion for the album. We've actually written 9 songs already for a new record.

VAVA: What do you and the band like to do outside of music?

Daniel: I actually just got engaged so I'm planning a wedding every second! As for the rest of the band, we like to go downtown and watch other bands and if we're not making music, we're always doing something related to music. We're also big family guys so we like to go home and visit our folks.

VAVA: Any advice for up-and-coming musicians?

Daniel: Support your fellow musicians. Give love to everybody around you. Keep your head down and work on your craft everyday. If you're songwriter, write every day. Don't be afraid to take opportunities. Don't say you're not ready for this because this chance came to you and you are ready.

Want to know what The Vegabonds are listening to?Click Hereto find all our featured artist playlists, including our Southern Rock friends. To find out if The Vegabonds are touring near you, check out their homepage for touring dates, album information,and more at www.thevegabonds.com. The album What We're Made Of is available now on iTunes!

5 Questions for Jack Novak, EDM DJ On The Rise

Featured Artists

Jack Novak is a busy gal. In a little over four years, the Chi-town native has already shared stages with notable EDM, Hip-Hop and Pop acts (Skrillex, Calvin Harris, Snoop Dogg, Rihanna), toured with musician Pharrell Williams', and been marked by Thump and Vibe Magazine as one of the hottest emerging DJ's to lookout for. Even more impressive is...

5 Questions for Jack Novak, EDM DJ On The Rise

Jack Novak is a busy gal. In a little over four years, the Chi-town native has already shared stages with notable EDM, Hip-Hop and Pop acts (Skrillex, Calvin Harris, Snoop Dogg, Rihanna), toured with musician Pharrell Williams', and been marked by Thump and Vibe Magazine as one of the hottest emerging DJ's to lookout for. Even more impressive is the fact that the Chi-town native learned her DJing chops from a combination of YouTube tutorials, a production tutor, and hard work. It's safe to say that the fruits of her labor are booming. Jack Novak's singles "Driving Blind", "If it Kills Me", and "Oceans" has racked up millions of plays on Spotify and Youtube and her own world tour (Lollapalooza, Barbarella, Tomorrowland) has been well received by fans all over. For her newest single release, we caught up with our favorite DJ to get the lowdown on her wild 2016.

J:About five years ago, I got a lot of tips from friends & YouTube. I learned to produce because I was already DJ’ing, loved music, and wanted to give it a shot on my own!

V: How does it feel to move from New York to L.A, to ultimately touring all over the world? What city has been your favorite place to tour so far?

J: It’s a dream come true and not a day goes by that I’m not thankful for it. It's so hard to answer that question! I meet so many amazing people wherever I travel so it’s so hard to pick a place that is my favorite.

V: Could you tell us a few challenging things that occurred when you first started getting involved in the music industry? How did you overcome them?

J:Learning production was challenging then and it still is now! I’m constantly learning new things. It’s always challenging when you’re building something from the ground up. Never stop believing in yourself and keep pushing and doing what you love because it will all pay off.

V: How do you get into the creative process of making a song?

J:I usually just vibe off whatever mood I’m in! I don’t have a specific way of doing things; sometimes I start with a vocal and sometimes I start with a beat.

#DreamChaser San Francisco Giants Catcher Trevor Brown Living The Major League Baseball Dream

Featured Artists

Trevor Brown is a professional baseball player for three-time World Series champions San Francisco Giants, playing with players such as MVP catcher Buster Posey and “Baby Giraffe” first baseman Brandon Belt, as well as catching All-Star pitchers like Madison Bumgarner. He went from flipping burgers and eating his favorite "Double Double" 4 times a week during...

#DreamChaser San Francisco Giants Catcher Trevor Brown Living The Major League Baseball Dream

Trevor Brown is a professional baseball player for three-time World Series champions San Francisco Giants, playing with players such as MVP catcher Buster Posey and “Baby Giraffe” first baseman Brandon Belt, as well as catching All-Star pitchers like Madison Bumgarner. He went from flipping burgers and eating his favorite "Double Double" 4 times a week during high school, to attending college at UCLA playing three different baseball positions. Trevor Brown was drafted in the 10th round by the Giants in 2012 and rose through the minors to his current position as a Major League level catcher -- a position which is arguably the toughest to play in baseball. Team VAVA was able to catch up with Trevor and do a quick Q&A session with this rising star!VAVA: Tell us about your "baseball" story. How did you get into the sport and what was it like playing when you were young?Trevor: I started my baseball journey at age 4. I played football and raced BMX bikes as well growing up. Baseball came very easily to me and I excelled even at a very young age. I loved it and I learned to play everywhere. I was mainly a shortstop, but I pitched and did a little catching too. My Dad coached me for a lot of my youth but stopped and let me play for my travel ball coach instead.VAVA: How is your professional baseball journey thus far, from the minor league to the majors? How do you like playing for the SF Giants?Trevor: My professional journey has been an uncommon one. I have switched positions and struggled at times. I was moved up due to injuries and stayed there because I took advantage of opportunities. I didn't necessarily earn promotions due to excellent play, but I earned staying at the next level because I played well when I was moved up. I skipped AA which is also very abnormal. It seems for now I am just catching up in the major leagues and am enjoying every moment of it. [caption id="attachment_652" align="aligncenter" width="640"]
San Francisco Giants' Trevor Brown follows through on a two-run home run off Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Tyler Chatwood during the sixth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, April 12, 2016, in Denver. The Giants won 7-2. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)[/caption]
VAVA: What is your most memorable baseball moment so far?Trevor: My most memorable baseball moment is hitting my first MLB home run against the Dodgers to break up a no hitter!VAVA: Can you tell us a little bit about your personal life? Are you married?! :)Trevor: I am currently not married. I have a girlfriend that lives in Sacramento that visits me often. I feel like I am in a great place with her and happy to be with her. [caption id="attachment_653" align="aligncenter" width="640"]
Trevor with the VAVA Voom[/caption]
VAVA: Now, onto music and VAVA! What kind of music do you like? Any favorite artist/musicians?Trevor: I like all sorts of music. My three favorite genres are hip hop, country, and house. I enjoy drake and various other rappers, I enjoy Jason Aldean, Thomas Rhett, Keith Urban, Luke Brian, and many other country singers, and no house artists in particular but sometimes I get into that mood and hit shuffle.VAVA: What is your walk-up song at the ballpark?Trevor: “The Movement” by “Kid Ink”VAVA: Tell us about the music your teammates like to play in the clubhouse! Whose music taste is the "funkiest"? Who shares your song genre in the clubhouse? Do you like anyone else's walk-up song?Trevor: Hip hop is the main type of music played in the clubhouse. Most people prefer it and country it seems. Few like alternative rock but it seems that the majority are listening to hip hop to get ready for the games.VAVA: How do you like your new VAVA? Did anything stand out to you about the quality and design?Trevor: I was very surprised at the power output and sound that the VAVA puts out. I really enjoy turning it up and letting it blast while I'm in the kitchen and hanging out. Really pure sound and good life from a fairly small design. It is really convenient that is has bluetooth as well because I don't need to get up to change the song.Have a favorite walk-up song? Let VAVA and Trevor Brown know on Instagram (@trevorbrown_1) for a chance to win a VAVA of your own, autographed by Trevor!For more on the SF Giants catcher, follow Trevor Brown on Twitter @1trevorbrown and on Instagram @trevorbrown_1 .

Mixathon48: Shaping the Next Big Music Producers

Featured Artists

If you're one to dabble in music production, this may be the next biggest thing for discovering the newest music producing sensations! Mixathon48 is a 48 hour music competition that focuses on the music of producers either looking to share their music or test out their musical skills. The first competition of its kind, Mixathon48...

Mixathon48: Shaping the Next Big Music Producers

If you're one to dabble in music production, this may be the next biggest thing for discovering the newest music producing sensations! Mixathon48 is a 48 hour music competition that focuses on the music of producers either looking to share their music or test out their musical skills. The first competition of its kind, Mixathon48 has had some great success in their first two events and are still finding new talent with the upcoming Mixathon event for the summer. Team VAVA had the opportunity to sit down with the small team of five, co-founders Nicholas Yiu and Matt Hong, Nickki Nguyen, Kunwoo Hong, and Nhan Vu (all students and recent grads!), to talk about Mixathon and the next event set to occur this July.

VAVA: First things first, what is mixathon48?

Nicholas Yiu: Mixathon48 is a music technology education organization that helps young music producers around the world. We started the organization in 2015 and we base our education model off the software/hardware hackathons, and creating unique 48-hour music production marathons. We’ve held 2 global events so far reaching producers in 60+ countries!

VAVA: How did you come up with the idea of mixathon?

Matt Hong: Nick pitched this idea to me in summer 2015 and we slowly molded it over time to be what it is today. We both saw the need for a program like this and quickly acted to address the issue; within 3 months we went from inception to our very first event.

VAVA: How did you all meet?

Nicholas Yiu: A friend sent me a track produced by Mr. Hong, and I liked it a lot. I looked him up and realized he was a Berkeley student, so I sent him a Soundcloud message asking to write music together. He agreed, and that was how we met!
Nickki Nguyen: I worked with Nick at our former startup last summer on the design team. He approached me with this great idea and asked me to design for them and I’ve been a part of Mixathon48 ever since. Even though we all have different backgrounds, I find that we all get along very well.

Nicholas Yiu: Firstly, all our events are 48 hours long. In my opinion, I’ve found this to be arguably the most effective (and caffeinated) way of learning, and really emphasizes “practice by doing”. The second is that we get unique sound files from different people that are less commonly found in mainstream music to really try and throw producers a curve ball. For instance, we used beatboxing files in our last event which people found to be really interesting. By using our own sound files, we open the opportunity for limitless boundaries of what kind of music can be made, and more importantly,
how the music can be made.

VAVA: What about you guys and music? What are some of your favorite artists/bands/musicians?

Nhan Vu: Kaskade is one of those artists that get better over time. Kaskade somehow manages to produce music that simultaneously expands his impressive repertoire while sticking to the melodic roots that gave way to his rise in the music industry. He represents what I look for in an artist.

VAVA: Do you produce your own music? How do you go about making your own music?

Matt Hong: It usually starts with some sort of melody that stems from somewhere; I love to freestyle in the shower or when I’m commuting to work or school. From there, it’s all about translating those ideas onto Logic, slowly tweaking and recreating what is on my mind.

The Winners Playlist from the Mixathon48 2.0 Event

VAVA: There's so much music in the world that gets made, what are your favorite genres of music?

Nhan Vu: My favorite kinds of music transcends traditional genre boundaries. Good music is good music. I like that feeling when you’re listening to a song and you can’t quite figure out which genre to place it in.
Matt Hong: For the most part: hip hop, R&B and electronic; however, similar to my colleagues, genres don’t play a large part in how I listen to music; if it makes me feel a certain way or I want to get into a certain mood, it works.

VAVA: We know a little bit about your music background, What do you enjoy doing aside from music?

Nicholas Yiu: Outside of music, I’m a techie. I’m a fan of 3D printing and I recently started a tech x art project which aims to explore the intersection between modern materials science and digital photography. I’m also a big swimmer, and was a former member on the Hong Kong national team, and I hope to one day swim the English channel from France to London!
Nhan Vu: I’ve been involved in youth development programs for the past 7 years of my life. I hope to combine my passions of youth empowerment and music someday in the future. Be on the lookout!
Nickki Nguyen: I’ve been designing my whole life so I’m just happy that I can combine my love for music with my love for design.
Matt Hong: Personal coding projects, economic research (mostly in the privatization of public goods), video games and badminton. Also food -- always interested in finding the good bits and trying to recreate them.

[caption id="attachment_784" align="aligncenter" width="400"]
The mixathon48 Event 3.0 promotional image.[/caption]
VAVA: Music seems to inspire all of you and what Mixathon is about. What do you see as the future of Mixathon48 and what do you hope to achieve?

Nicholas Yiu: Mixathon48 currently holds online competitions which can take place in anyone’s bedroom to a professional recording studio. We’ve hosted 2 global events so far, and we’re going onto our third. In the future, I want Mixathon48 to hold in-person live competitions, where producers can gather together in a giant exhibition hall filled with the latest music production gear [...] and instruments. It would be something of a big festival, a magical gathering of musical minds sharing ideas together. I hope Mixathon48 becomes a world leader in music production education as well as a creator of numerous new online innovative community events.

If you want to test out your musical skills, the next Mixathon48 event will be held on Friday, July 29th until Sunday July 31st (for 48 hours of course!) You could even win your very own VAVA VOOM award winning bluetooth speaker! More details can be found about the VAVA prize and more on the social media links below. You could be the next big music producer of this generation and more!

Jubilee Project's Jason Y. Lee and How His Viral Videos are Doing Good for Humankind

Featured Artists

The digital phenomenon of viral videos has completely altered how we interact, share, and voice our opinion on social media. Grandma used to email funny pictures to all her grandkids. Now her favorite past time is sharing videos that mock this year's presidential candidates - all for your friends and family to see. In the mass of World Star...

Jubilee Project's Jason Y. Lee and How His Viral Videos are Doing Good for Humankind

The digital phenomenon of viral videos has completely altered how we interact, share, and voice our opinion on social media. Grandma used to email funny pictures to all her grandkids. Now her favorite past time is sharing videos that mock this year's presidential candidates - all for your friends and family to see. In the mass of World Star videos, Tasty food recipes, and Go-Pro vacation cuts, human interest stories that uplift and bring awareness to causes are some of the most widely shared and talked about videos on the internet. Why is this? When we can "all relate" or empathize with a story, when it causes us to look inward and start a discussion - this is what a powerful film is all about. Jason Y. Lee is the founder and executive director of the Jubilee Project. Along with his brother Eddie and best friend Eric, they set out to combine their passion for philanthropy to tell stories that, as Jason put it, were "close to our hearts." Although Eddie and Eric are no longer active on the Jubilee Project, Jason and his crew continue to make videos that inspire and humor people of all ages.

VAVA: Jason thanks for speaking with us today! Of course the work you're doing today with the Jubilee Project is simply amazing. What impact, if any, did your upbringing as a Korean-American in Kansas have in shaping your films and organization as a whole?

Jason: As a Korean-American or even as an Asian-American, there wasn't a lot of diversity in Kansas. There was however a small church community and I grew up in a nice, safe suburban neighborhood. Honestly I can't complain. My faith and my parents taught me from a very young age that we should always be giving back to the community. When my brother and I were kids we'd volunteer at the library or give out cookies during Thanksgiving - this was all super normal to us. I think because I've spent a lot of time and energy into loving others, that my life was always steering me into creating something like the Jubilee Project.

V: How did you start the Jubilee Project with the other founders and have your stories always been human interest related?

J: I started the Jubilee Project with my brother and one of my best friends Eric. It really started as a hobby, we were making videos for fun on the side (Jason comes from a business background) - we just wanted to do it because frankly it was something we enjoyed. The more we did it, the bigger it got and it's become something much larger than any of us had expected.

Our projects are usually a mix of stories but we choose what's close to our hearts. Usually our stories are human justice projects, education based, or involve global health. To be honest there wasn't really a rhyme or reason for these projects except for the fact that we were interested.

J:Love Language was one of our first viral films and then we did a couple films with Jeremy Lin which was a lot of fun. Now we're doing a lot more non-fiction docu-series style films versus narrative fiction.

V: Speaking of Mr. Linsanity , how did the Jubilee Project and Jeremy Lin link up for a collaboration?

J: Actually, Eddie and Eric went to undergrad with Jeremy Lin so we met him before he was the "NBA" Jeremy Lin. He's got a great personality so it has been awesome working with him.

V: Did anything funny or interesting ever happen on set?

J: Well when we did The Last Pick with Jeremy Lin, there's an opening scene where he's running through his Palo Alto neighborhood. We were a small crew but somehow word got out that we were filming something with Jeremy and all these neighbors and kids stood outside their houses to watch. We could only do one take so it was kinda funny to shoot.

V: What role does music and sound play in your projects?

J: Music is essential for telling a great story. Even if you have the perfect story, the perfect cast, and the perfect acting - you need music to enhance the experience and your feelings. So, we tend to use music a lot based on how we feel and what we want to say in the film. Music is an awesome tool we have to tell a better story.

The Jubilee Project is an awesome organization, but what's Jason doing on his off time?

V: What are some of your favorite types of movies?

J: The movies that are most moving to me are one's where you see genuine human experiences and drama play out.

V: When you're not producing or writing for the Jubilee Project, what are you doing in your free time?

J: I like to surf, especially because I live in L.A now. I read a lot of books. I read a ton of fiction because it's good way for me to unplug from work-mode and I read a lot of non-fiction books. I also do a lot of yoga

V: The team would love to know how you're enjoying the VAVA :)

J: We're using it around the house already and my roommates and I are already fighting about who gets to connect to it!

V: Can you tell us about anything your'e working on currently?

J: We have a couple projects in the works and another docu-series about life (haha the most generic answer but the best way to describe it).

B-Boy Vincanity: Teaching the World to Dance

Featured Artists

B-boying, or more commonly known as breakdancing, is the hip-hop dance filled with crazy flips, tricks, and poses that has made its mark in society. It's become a rather popular art form as seen in recent dance shows and movies showing off the style. And no one else felt the effects of the rise and...

B-Boy Vincanity: Teaching the World to Dance

B-boying,
or more commonly known as breakdancing, is the hip-hop dance filled with crazy flips, tricks, and poses that has made its mark in society. It's become a rather popular art form as seen in recent dance shows and movies showing off the style. And no one else felt the effects of the rise and fall of breakdancing than Vince Horiuchi, or better known to the dance community as b-boy Vincanity.A Sacramento native, Vince started dancing after he learned martial arts and saw his friends breakdance growing up. From this, he developed a passion for the art form that stemmed further from a love of music, hip-hop, and of course, dancing. It was however the energy and the community surrounding local b-boy battles that gave Vince the drive to turn breakdancing into his career.Things don't always start out so peachy. The only jobs out there for an aspiring dancer were small performances or teaching. Without much of a choice, Vince sought out every dance studio he could to make some extra cash through teaching. This was substantial enough to support him through college but it wasn't until Vince taught kids at a local high school that he actually developed a passion for mentoring students. Vince gave kids an opportunity to find a new interest in dancing that kept them off the streets and in a safe, creative community. [caption id="attachment_907" align="aligncenter" width="815"]
source: instagram.com/thehealthyconscience[/caption]
This newfound passion led to the development of the VincaniTV YouTube channel; Vince's outlet as B-Boy Vincanity. This channel gave people a way to learn how to dance when funding at the schools and studios fell short. Through this, he has also developed a new interest in photography and videography, working for not only his own channel but for popular YouTube comedian, David So. His overall goal is to do as he did growing up: continue to popularize dance as a positive medium and influence for kids, even around the world. With YouTube, he is continuing to find that success.

B-Boy Vincanity with VAVA on musicality when dancing

He doesn't leave us without some words of wisdom.

Find the reason why you love what you do. From there, take a step back and plan. Especially in the long term. If you think small, your outcomes will be small. Don't be afraid to think big. Think big, plan big, make it happen.

Vincanity still continues making YouTube videos today. Outside of YouTube, he is an avid photographer but also a coffee enthusiast, experimenting with different styles of brewing coffee.

Trevor Wentworth of Our Last Night - How Small Town Dreams Become Amazing Realities

Featured Artists

Trevor Wentworth, vocalist of the self-described "New Found Glory meets Rise Against" band, is busy preparing for Our Last Night's Face to Face tour. The metal band will be hitting all the major U.S cities in mid-November including San Diego, Chicago, Orlando and New York. It's without a doubt that Youtube covers brought more exposure to OLN and helped expand their fanbase...

Trevor Wentworth of Our Last Night - How Small Town Dreams Become Amazing Realities

Trevor Wentworth, vocalist of the self-described "New Found Glory meets Rise Against" band, is busy preparing for Our Last Night'sFace to Face tour. The metal band will be hitting all the major U.S cities in mid-November including San Diego, Chicago, Orlando and New York. It's without a doubt that Youtube covers brought more exposure to OLN and helped expand their fanbase - but this is NOT just another cover band. In fact, it would be more accurate to say that this talented group just happens to be good at cover songs. The quality and popularity of their stand-alone singles make this band one of 2016's most exciting break-out artists. VAVA caught up with Trevor to learn more about his talented crew, and find out what's next for Our Last Night.
[caption id="attachment_925" align="aligncenter" width="805"]
Trevor Wentworth - vocalist for metal band Our Last Night[/caption]
Where are you from, and what was it like for you growing up there?I'm from a VERY small town in New Hampshire called Hollis. We had one stoplight, no chain restaurants and everything closed at 8pm. I really liked growing up there, especially because I started touring at such a young age. It was very nice coming back from a long tour with my band and knowing that I would be able to have so much peace and quiet before leaving for the next one. Can you tell us what got you involved in music, what your specialty is, and what role you have in your band?I sing and occasionally play guitar in my band Our Last Night. The band really just started out as a hobby but after playing ONE talent show at our High School we KNEW that being in a band was exactly what we wanted to do for our entire lives. How and when did your band form and what would you describe your music as? Our band officially formed in 2004 just from a couple of friends picking up instruments and playing some cover songs in my basement. I would describe our music as, energetic, moving, positive and fun. Who are some of your musical influences?I would say my personal influences would be anything from Blink - 182 to Coldplay. I can find musical influences from a LOT of different styles of music. [caption id="attachment_928" align="aligncenter" width="839"]
Our Last Night photographed in Orange County, California by
Matty Vogel[/caption]
How did you get started on Youtube and what fueled your meteoric rise on that platform?Funny story actually, About 3 - 4 years ago our manager was trying to convince us to start doing covers on YouTube because he thought it would be a good idea to get our band name out there and gain some new fans. We were very hesitant at first because we didn't want to be known as "that cover band". But we trusted him, posted our first cover, which was "Skyfall" by Adele. It got over 150,000 plays in the first day and was reposted by some of the biggest news & blog websites in the world. Right then and there we decided to continue doing covers, and ever since it has helped our band in more ways than you could imagine. Choose 4 songs (not including yours or your bands) that describes you.That is a tough question, but I'll give it a go! Coldplay - Fix You Circa Survive - Frozen Creek Bad Suns - Cardiac Arrest Taking Back Sunday - This Is All Now What are you working on now and what's next for you and your band?Well, we are on tour right now in South America for the first time then right after this we head to Europe for a few weeks, then finally back home to starting writing songs for a new record! And I could not be more excited. If you weren't in your existing band, what band (from all time) would you have wanted to be a part of?That is a GREAT question! As I mentioned before Coldplay is one of my BIGGEST influences, if I could ever be in that band, even playing guitar, that would be a real dream come true. Chris Martin writes some of the most epic songs of all time and I would love to be a part of that. Can you tell us what is most important to you in life?The most important thing in life to me is family and truly being a good person. While traveling with my band I witness some true ignorance come from people for no reason at all. Thats not how life is supposed to be. So I take pride in being extremely nice to EVERYONE and helping out as many people as I can because when I die, I know that I would be happy with who I was as a person. Rock out to Our Last Night!
Website:OurLastNightYoutube:OurLastNightBandFacebook:OurLastNightBandTwitter:@OLNband Spotify:OurLastNightOLN Instagram:OLNbandTrevor Wentworth Instagram:@trevor_michael >>This is the last week to enter the August giveaway for the Voom 20 speakers, and other awesome prizes! Concert tickets, Spotify credit and Amazon vouchers to name a few. Check out Trevor's video below for more details or simply
check out this link<<

Elysium: 2016 Mixathon48 Winner

Featured Artists

The Mixathon48 competition sees entries from all over the global music sphere, pushing artists to flex their music chops and creativity for a chance to win awesome prizes ( *cough cough* VAVA Voom anyone? ) and gain some much deserved recognition. This year's battle for DJ street cred ended in an exciting win for the Czech...

Elysium: 2016 Mixathon48 Winner

The Mixathon48 competition sees entries from all over the global music sphere, pushing artists to flex their music chops and creativity for a chance to win awesome prizes ( *cough cough* VAVA Voom anyone? ) and gain some much deserved recognition. This year's battle for DJ street cred ended in an exciting win for the Czech Republic DJ Elysium (real name Jonasz Baran).Elysium grew up in a small Polish town of 30,000 inhabitants before moving with his mom to the Czech Republic at 13. Because his social circle wasn't large, Elysium began listening to music every single day. What started as a distraction soon became a hobby (and challenge) in music production.Elysium! What three pieces of music equipment can you absolutely not live without?My Yamaha HS8, AKG K701 and Focusrite Scarlett 2i2What were a couple DJ names that you thought of besides "Elysium"There were many of them. I don't even remember haha.If you could work with any artist/group from all time (past or present) who would you want to work with?Kill The NoiseWhat are your 5 favorite music tracks this month?Thomas Hayden, Mr.Saccardo - Burn (ft. Elly Ray) (Enthic FLIP) Faytal - Parallel Ookay - Back Again Borgeous and TyDi - Wanna Loose You (Ryos Remix) Codeko feat. RAPHAELLA - Walking With LionsWhat's the biggest differences between American DJ's and European DJ's in your opinion?I don't really see any difference :)What do you like to do besides make music?Graphic designWhat is your favorite phone emoji?This one.So sarcastic.Any thoughts on your new VAVA Voom 21?It is so amazing ! The sound is clear and it's so loud ! Even the bass sounds really good when I listen in high volume. Gonna test it with friends on our trip ! Hope it will last for about 6 hours haha :DListen to Elysium's winning track below Soundcloud: Elysiumishere Facebook: Elysiumishere To listen to other winners and awesome track submissions - visit the
Mixathon48 Soundcloud here!

VAVA Nation's Back To School Special

Featured Artists

School's In!The schoolyard was one of the best places to discover your creativity, meet your future bandmates, and find your purpose in life. Or what I remembered it as - the land of awkward puberty and bad lunches. All joking aside, hopefully most of us can look back on it with an overwhelming feeling of...

VAVA Nation's Back To School Special

The schoolyard was one of the best places to discover your creativity, meet your future bandmates, and find your purpose in life. Or what I remembered it as - the land of awkward puberty and bad lunches. All joking aside, hopefully most of us can look back on it with an overwhelming feeling of nostalgia that made Pokemon Go and boyband reunions the best things to happen in 2016. In this VAVA Nation special, members of the dance and music community shared their most memorable moments of going back to school.

Feel The Adrenaline of This Walk Up Song and Playlist From SF Giants Catcher Trevor Brown

Featured Artists

Walk up songs have become a crowd-pumping, game hyping tradition in major league baseball. Personal walk up songs weren't even made popular until Charlie Sheen's 1989 sporting role in "Major League". Now, these songs have become an exciting extension of each player's time on the infield. In recent years, musicians like Drake and AC/DC have come...

Feel The Adrenaline of This Walk Up Song and Playlist From SF Giants Catcher Trevor Brown

Walk up songs have become a crowd-pumping, game hyping tradition in major league baseball. Personal walk up songs weren't even made popular until Charlie Sheen's 1989 sporting role in "Major League". Now, these songs have become an exciting extension of each player's time on the infield. In recent years, musicians like Drake and AC/DC have come out on top as some of the most popular artists to theme your grand entrance to. via GIPHY Obviously there are tons of amazing walk up songs to choose from. San Francisco Giants catcher Trevor Brown let VAVA into his personal playlist of music that hypes HIM up. Kid Ink - The MovementTrevor Brown's chosen walk up song comes from one of the biggest rap artists this year! Kid Ink has featured on countless club bangers and if you want to start a party, you know you have to put some Kid Ink on. His single "The Movement" is particularly epic for its strong "marching band"-like percussion intro. There's a certain passion in his rapping with lyrics like "Just go ahead with your mixtape, I'm killen' it with my pre-sell" that pumps you up. This walk up choice is definitely a home run! Lukas Graham - 7 YearsRacking over 300 million Youtube views, "7 years" is a hugely popular song by Danish Pop band Lukas Graham. The song is one of our top picks from Trevor Brown's playlist for its inspiring, nostalgic, and positive lyrics - lyrics that are completely fitting when it comes to taking a huge swing in front of stadium crowds.Major Lazer featuring Justin Bieber and MØ - Cold WaterOne of the hottest songs this summer, Major Lazer's collaboration with Justin Bieber and MØ for "Cold Water" is full of adrenaline and high energy. Whether you're playing this at the gym (like Trevor is pictured below) , a party, or your walk up...this dance number will get you moving on your feet!Listen to the full list of Trevor Brown Walk Up songs below! Let us know in the comments which of these songs is your favorite (make sure to include your social media handles) and we might feature YOUR pick on VAVASOUND's Instagram.

Walk Up With Trevor Brown

Follow VAVASOUND on Spotify for more music from your favorite athletes, artists, filmmakers, and more.

VAVA Rocks out with Bay Area Girls Rock - A Camp Teaching Girls Real Life Lessons Through Music

Featured Artists

Based in Oakland, California (arguably one of the greatest hubs of culture and music) the non-profit organization Bay Area Girls Rock (BAGR) has been teaching young girls and teens about music and vibrant self-expression since 2008. Since then, the organization has grown to host over 50 awesome camps throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, and South...

VAVA Rocks out with Bay Area Girls Rock - A Camp Teaching Girls Real Life Lessons Through Music

Based in Oakland, California (arguably one of the greatest hubs of culture and music) the non-profit organization
Bay Area Girls Rock (BAGR) has been teaching young girls and teens about music and vibrant self-expression since 2008. Since then, the organization has grown to host over 50 awesome camps throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, and South America. Inspired by the first Rock 'n' Roll Camp for Girls in Portland, Oregon - BAGR instills that no matter your skin color or socio-economic background, a program that celebrates diversity and supports positive role models should be available to students everywhere. This month, VAVA had a chance to talk to Program & Volunteer Coordinator Sabrina Sierra about this amazing organization and its programs. [caption id="attachment_1116" align="aligncenter" width="596"]
BAGR Staff pictured: Jaime Clark, Shawna, Sabrina Sierra[/caption] Before coming to BAGR, Sabrina was involved in multiple areas of entertainment jobs. As a musician, she's been a radio and event DJ, ran sound at show venues, and even taught music lessons. The Bay Area native inevitably gravitated towards an organization like BAGR which advocates the importance of diversity (both in skin color and gender) in the world of rock music.

"I was born and raised in the
BayArea, and even in such a progressive, creative, diverse place, there wasn't much support or visibility for
girls (especially brown
girls) interested in
rock or working in music."

[caption id="attachment_1118" align="aligncenter" width="720"]
by Katie Schwarz[/caption] With so much to learn about music (working together in a band, reading notes and sheet music) BAGR offers a multitude of programs for girls ages 8 to 18. Sabrina explains that their programs are a tool for greater life lessons.

"Campers learn an instrument, form bands, write original songs, and perform those songs at a showcase at the end of each program. Through music, we teach collaboration and communication, encourage creativity and expression, and build relationships between people with a variety of backgrounds and experiences. "

[caption id="attachment_1123" align="aligncenter" width="752"]
by Katie Schwarz[/caption] From the months of January through March, BAGR holds the Girls Rock After School Program or GRASP where students attend workshops and band practice. The Summer Camp is often their most exciting program which includes music lessons and a huge musical showcase at the end of the camp session. That's not all - there's even a 3 day Rock camp for adults who still want to live out their Rock 'n' Roll dreams!

Check out an awesome showcase from their GRASP program below!

https://vimeo.com/184893721 BAGR is a fun and challenging program - but the lessons don't stop when it's over. Sabrina agrees -

"BAGRC is important to me because it's a space where we are actively creating the world we want to see--a world where marginalized voices are amplified, where art and expression are valued, where collaboration and creativity replace competition. Misogyny is still rampant in the music industry and most music scenes, and
Rock Camp is a super powerful place to build skills and community."

A Look at Girls Inc. with VAVA - Organizations Helping Girls Succeed

Featured Artists

It's no secret that students with better resources and opportunities have a greater chance of succeeding. New books, elective classes, and the latest computers? These aren't just better learning tools - these resource give students the CONFIDENCE that they can achieve anything they want. At VAVA, we believe that everyone should have access to the greatest...

A Look at Girls Inc. with VAVA - Organizations Helping Girls Succeed

It's no secret that students with better resources and opportunities have a greater chance of succeeding. New books, elective classes, and the latest computers? These aren't just better learning tools - these resource give students the CONFIDENCE that they can achieve anything they want. At VAVA, we believe that everyone should have access to the greatest experiences life has to offer - and we celebrate people who are helping their communities achieve just that. Girls Inc. is one of those organizations. Founded in 1958, the Girls. Inc of Alameda County was the first club in Northern California solely dedicated to shaping the lives of young women. In the San Francisco Bay Area, girls face an increasing number of challenges stemming from racial and gender stereotypes, to financial hardships. According to Girls Inc. , "4 in 5 Oakland third graders from low income households cannot read at grade level" and "1 in 3 girls in Oakland will not graduate high school". It's these statistics that have pushed the non-profit to grow tremendously and continue expanding its education programs and facilities with fitness studios, science labs, and counseling centers for both girls AND their families. Their mission is to remind girls to be Safe (in physical and mental health), Smart (in academic achievement), and Bold (in leadership). We visited their amazing staff in Downtown Oakland with our VAVA speakers in tow - excited for what our contribution could do for the girls who come through this building every day. Check out our conversation with Odette Nemes, senior director of development at Girls Inc. of Alameda County
Music is an amazing supplement to studying, working out, or inspiring a growing girl's mind. That's why VAVA is proud to donate speakers to the members of Girls Inc. and their families this season. Want to know how you can contribute? Learn how you can #beachampionforgirls at http://www.girlsinc-alameda.org/ If you'd like to donate to this amazing organization go to https://invest.girlsinc-alameda.org/

TOWNE is the next exciting act to come out of the Nashville pop scene. Members Jon Decious and Steevie Steeves met one faithful day at a songwriting seminar (both were 2 of 40,000 people who applied for the workshop!) and since then have become inseparable as a music duo. Their debut EP Games We Play released...

TOWNE is the next exciting act to come out of the Nashville pop scene. Members Jon Decious and Steevie Steeves met one faithful day at a songwriting seminar (both were 2 of 40,000 people who applied for the workshop!) and since then have become inseparable as a music duo. Their debut EP Games We Play released earlier this year and the two will be playing at the 8th annual 30A Songwriters Festival alongside fellow newcomers and music veterans. TOWNE were awesome enough to test out our soon-to-be released VAVA Dash cam - a new dash camera designed for the everyday driver (coming to Kickstarter on January 17th). See their carpool karaoke jam below:

Like the perfect harmony, Jon and Steevie play off each other's strengths and weaknesses to create an incredibly resonant album that instantly connects listeners to their EP.

Our favorite track is “The One I Love”. I can’t begin to count how many people talk to us about that song. They all swear that it’s “their story” and they all have such different interpretations of what it’s about. It’s the first song we’ve ever written that has completely taken on a life of its own and we each just feel fortunate to have been a small part of it…it’s definitely bigger than either one of us.

Watch the music video "The One I Love" by Towne Games We Play is full of heartbreak and complicated relationships. Why such a heavy theme? TOWNE explained the inspiration of their album was actually the pair's own relationship.

When we decided to make this album we said, right or wrong, that we were going to tell OUR story because it felt like one that no one else was really telling. Undoubtedly, it’s that blatant honesty that’s been the catalyst for the record connecting with so many people.

The competition is high in Nashville. One of the biggest musical capitals in the world is home to a flock of aspiring musicians trying to make it big. When we asked TOWNE to name their top two moments this year - it was clear that being in Nashville has been an amazingly positive and humbling experience.

Our top 2 moments are 1.)Signing publishing and artist development deals and being able to quit our day jobs to completely focus on making music..and 2.) Recording, releasing, and hearing our album for the first time. We put all of our hearts and souls into it and to see it all paying off and connecting with people is just really overwhelming and, honestly, the greatest reward.

You can catch TOWNE live at the 30A Songwriters Festival from January 13th to the 16th in Florida's South Walton coast. Get the lineup and schedule info for Towne below.
www.townemusic.comhttp://www.30asongwritersfestival.com/ [caption id="attachment_1263" align="aligncenter" width="688"]
Towne using the VAVA Dash - launching January 17th on Kickstarter[/caption] To see more amazing footage from the VAVA Dash cam like TOWNE's carpool karaoke - support us on Kickstarter by reserving a VAVA Dash of your own. Visit
www.vava.com/dash to learn more.

Five Different Ways Music Can Benefit Your Life

Music

Everybody loves music -- it's something that's intrinsic to who we are, long before MP3s, iTunes, CDs, or even cassettes (remember those?). Regardless of age, it's a hobby that people from all backgrounds and walks of life have incorporated into their lives. However, what most people may not realize are the amazing benefits that music...

Five Different Ways Music Can Benefit Your Life

Everybody loves music -- it's something that's intrinsic to who we are, long before MP3s, iTunes, CDs, or even cassettes (remember those?). Regardless of age, it's a hobby that people from all backgrounds and walks of life have incorporated into their lives. However, what most people may not realize are the amazing benefits that music has on their health and overall well-being. Here are just five ways that you may not know that benefit you when you listen to different music.

1. Mental Reasoning

Everyone has heard about how playing Mozart for your child when he or she sleeps makes them smarter. Though that may not be quite the case, there has been evidence to show how playing an instrument helps children with their mental reasoning.
(Source: PLOS | One)

2. Stimulation During Exercise

When working out and exercising, you probably have that one "pump up, get the blood flowing" song you always find yourself listening to -- your power song. It'll be fast, active, and it'll motivate you to get started. And -- there's good reason for that! Studies have shown that these fast songs actually stimulate you to start exercising! Your blood flows, you feel energetic because the song is energetic, and to boost, you may even be distracted from your running pains.
(Source: Active.com)Check out how #VAVANation member Cynthia Leu powers through her workouts with music!

A video posted by Probably eating or squatting (@cynthialeu) on Apr 4, 2016 at 7:56pm PDT

3. Stress Release

Feeling stressed? Not just you -- stress levels are at an all-time high globally. However, taking the time to sit back and relax with calm and slow music has been shown to be to your benefit. The slow tempo and light tones of soft jazz or classical music can help to ease your mind. Just don't force yourself to relax or else you may end up building more stress!
(Source: University of Nevada, Reno)

4. Memory Boost

The brain is all about association. Studies have shown that eating chocolate while studying and right before an exam has increased memory benefits. Like chocolate, music can have the same effect by bringing back old memories and help increase those memory skills when you need an extra boost.
(Source: Johns Hopkins University)

5. Sleep

As stresses rise in today's world, we find ourselves losing sleep or having restless sleep. However, studies have shown that sleep with classical music can be used to treat insomnia. Perhaps it is something about the soothing tones of classical music that put you at ease or the lightness of strings, woodwinds, and brass.
(Source: pubmed.gov)

Music is already a fantastic tool for today's society. Why not have even more reason to listen to music than to benefit yourself?

DAWs: The Software You Need for Music Production

Music

Fruity Loops, Ableton, Logic... you may have heard of these before floating around the music world but what are they even? To music producers, it's a matter of which of these software are the best for them but to someone who is just entering the music scene, it's very daunting (I know it was for...

DAWs: The Software You Need for Music Production

Fruity Loops, Ableton, Logic... you may have heard of these before floating around the music world but what are they even? To music producers, it's a matter of which of these software are the best for them but to someone who is just entering the music scene, it's very daunting (I know it was for me...). This is the world of Digital Audio Workstations, or just DAWs. They may seem very complex but understanding what they're for and how to use them are key for the aspiring music producer.

First things first, what are DAWs? Long story short, these are the programs used by the people that make your favorite songs. It's what makes music, well, music. Producers record, edit, master, and create the final product that you hear out of your phones. With different software, you can do slightly different things. Some of the big names like
Apple's Logic Pro X or
FL Studio have layouts that allow them to take advantage of included instrumental loops. Take
Ableton Live - it makes using certain hardware for live performance a breeze (so aspiring DJ's, listen up). On top of just recording and putting the music in the program, all of them make use of EQ functions, which brings out certain sounds more than others. You'll end up with the cleanest final product.

Most importantly, all DAWs need some way to create a finished product. Each piece of software has different modes of production that allow producers to take their creation and preview how it can be used in different settings. Consider what you will use your music for. Background music? You can figure out different echos change the feel of the scene you're producing. Making some stems to mix around for a DJ set? Consider the different synthetic sounds you can layer on top. Just making the hottest new track for your friends? Consider your speakers limitations or strengths and cater to its features.

Now, if you're like me, you'll see some of these products and immediately think "I can't afford this..." And sadly enough, licenses to these products can go for $700 or more! For someone who's just learning music production or wants more options for audio editing than their phone's voice memo app, these prices are a bit much. For the producers, you have the starter versions of FL Studio ($90 for the basic edition) and Garage Band ($15 on the app store). These are just like their advanced versions, made simple for the beginning music producer (given some limitations in power). However, if your alley is more along the lines of simple podcasts or making covers, Audacity is one the best. Not only can you do all of your recording and music making with some small editing, it's FREE!

The VAVA Dash Cam - VAVA's Exciting New Venture and How You Can Be a Part of It

VAVA Dash

Today, we’re proud to announce the VAVA Dash camera, our latest product — and a whole new category for VAVA. The VAVA Dash is a camera designed to make driving a safer and more social experience, and will be launching on Kickstarter next month — on January 17. In the past 10 months, we’ve had the...

The VAVA Dash Cam - VAVA's Exciting New Venture and How You Can Be a Part of It

Today, we’re proud to announce the VAVA Dash camera, our latest product — and a whole new category for VAVA. The VAVA Dash is a camera designed to make driving a safer and more social experience, and will be launching on Kickstarter next month — on January 17.

In the past 10 months, we’ve had the immense honor of growing the VAVA brand and experience with you. With the VAVA Voom 21, Voom 20, and VAVA Flex, we’ve delivered award-winning sound in high-quality products with simple, timeless designs. Now, we look forward to continuing this tradition with products designed to fit into your life, starting with our first Kickstarter and the VAVA Dash camera.

What that means is that YOU’LL have the opportunity to help bring this product to life — and help define what you’d like to see.

Why a dash cam you may ask? We’ve always prided ourselves on delivering products that move you — and on sharing that experience as a community. This dash cam and Kickstarter is the next step in continuing to build that VAVA experience together, in designing high-quality products that grow with you and your needs.

Thank you for being part of the VAVA community — we can’t wait to build what’s next with you.

Let’s VAVA —

The VAVA team

Some questions that may be on your mind …

What is Kickstarter?

Kickstarter is a crowdfunding platform designed to let product creators and a community of forward-thinking consumers connect to bring products to life together. Throughout the process, you’ll have access to exclusive pre-retail prices AND have the opportunity to share your input in making the product.

Why would I need the VAVA Dash?

The VAVA Dash is a camera that goes inside your car that helps capture what happens on the road. That way, if anything unexpected happens (e.g., an accident), you’ll always have the footage to use as documentation and help protect you. With the VAVA Dash, your camera will capture footage in 1080p resolution — and record even when your car is off.

The VAVA Dash: How 6 Glass Lenses and 1 Infrared Lens Make for a Better Dash Cam

VAVA Dash

The VAVA Dash is meant to overcome all limitations in terms of usability that affect your ordinary dash cam.When it comes to car DVR, a poorly-engineered car camera with a lens set that produces grainy, indistinguishable shots or simply can’t keep up with the car’s speed defies the purpose of getting a dash cam in...

The VAVA Dash: How 6 Glass Lenses and 1 Infrared Lens Make for a Better Dash Cam

The VAVA Dash is meant to overcome all limitations in terms of usability that affect your ordinary dash cam. When it comes to car DVR, a poorly-engineered car camera with a lens set that produces grainy, indistinguishable shots or simply can’t keep up with the car’s speed defies the purpose of getting a dash cam in the first place. The VAVA Dash Cam features a technically advanced, high quality lens setup that produces clear images and footage.
A Close Look at the Lenses of the VAVA Dash The VAVA Dash Cam’s shooter sports a 1/2.8-inch 2.0 Megapixel SONY IMX291 CMOS sensor with F/1.8 aperture. This type of sensor is widely used for indoors and outdoors security cameras for its capability to capture clear, high definition shots and footage even in low-light conditions. This is possible thanks to its advanced lens setup that’s made up of 6 glass lenses and 1 infrared lens - this construction allows it prevent fogging in multiple climate environments and conditions. The built-in sensor features CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) technology that is used for constructing integrated circuits. The advantage over charge-coupled device (CCD) image sensors is that the CMOS technology increases the number of pixels that can be read out at 60fps. This allows the VAVA Dash to seamlessly record MP4 videos up to 1920*1080/60fps and capture high-quality pictures of both moving and still subjects. What gives the VAVA Dash Cam an extra edge over its competitors is its 140-degree wide-angle lens that will capture a wider image of what’s outside or inside the vehicle without compromising quality.
The VAVA Dash Lens Setup in Real Life Usage The VAVA Dash Cam’s high-definition image quality will provide valuable proof in case of collisions or unexpected motion when the car is parked. This allows you to prove your innocence in a car accident or know who’s responsible for the unanimous dent on your car’s side door. Whether you’re driving during the day or at night, the VAVA Dash’s fast, accurate shooter will enable you to record footage or capture clear, high-quality shots of any occurrences on the road, outside or inside the vehicle.
Conclusion The VAVA Dash positions itself as a full-featured travel companion for today’s drivers. Thanks to its video recording / instant snapshot functionalities even in lowlight conditions, it caters to those who look for a dash cam that would make them feel more comfortable behind the wheel, as well as everybody who’s looking for a device to “seize the moment” and turn any road trip occurrences into long-lasting memories. Reserve your VAVA Dash now at
http://www.vava.com/dash and be the first to know when our Kickstarter launches on January 17. Earliest backers will be able to get a VAVA Dash for just $99.

The VAVA Dash: Everything You Need to Know About the G-sensor

VAVA Dash

When looking for a car dash camera that really rocks, one feature will keep coming up: a G-sensor. Besides recording in 1080p HD resolution, having a 360° swivel camera, and shooting videos even when the engine is off, there’s little use for a car camera without a built-in G-sensor.This blog will tell you everything you...

The VAVA Dash: Everything You Need to Know About the G-sensor

When looking for a car dash camera that really rocks, one feature will keep coming up: a G-sensor. Besides recording in 1080p HD resolution, having a 360° swivel camera, and shooting videos even when the engine is off, there’s little use for a car camera without a built-in G-sensor. This blog will tell you everything you need to know about the G-sensor in your car dash camera, what it is and why you even need it.
The VAVA Dash will be a crowd-funded on Kickstarter starting January 17. Reserve it now at http://www.vava.com/dash and be amongst the lucky, earliest backers who'll get it for just $99.What Is a G-sensor? People buy car dash cameras to have a recording available in case of driving or parking accidents. Some even purchase a car dash camera in case of insurance fraud as is common in places where people intentionally get hit by oncoming traffic in order to scam money off unsuspecting drivers. But recording all this footage will be for nothing if the camera cannot ensure the safety of said footage. Enter the G-sensor. The G-sensor, or G-shock sensor as it is also known, works by detecting any movement to your car before locking and protecting a recorded video file from being deleted. This means that footage of someone reversing into the front of your car will be kept and preserved even if you forget to upload the event to a computer or cloud service. It’s an extra benefit that lets the car dash camera know that footage is important and needs protecting.
How Does a G-sensor Work? A G-Sensor measures movement up, down, left, right, backwards, and forwards through a 3-dimensional axis that. By measuring the movement of your vehicle, the G-sensor enables the camera to automatically record video footage. When sudden or significant movement is detected, the G-sensor will immediately lock any footage being recorded to ensure it is preserved for later. It’s particularly helpful for genuine incidents where video footage is needed. While it’s always ready when driving, the G-sensor will also keep working when the engine is off. This is to ensure that video recording will activate and record in case your parked car is hit.
What Sort of Movement Is Detected? The type of movement that can be detected is up to you. Whether an uneven road or a 10 car pileup occurs, the sensitivity of the G-sensor can be set to pick up, record, and safeguard the footage. When the G-sensor is set to the lowest value it takes just the slightest knock to activate. This means your car dash camera is likely to lock all footage even if you only hit a pot hole or drive on bumpy terrain. Conversely, setting the G-sensor on the highest setting requires quite a bit more force to activate.
A More In-depth Look at the G-sensor The ‘G’ in the g-sensor refers to gravity. Therefore the sensitivity option is configured with units of gravity, where 1G is equivalent to 9.81m/s². A reading of 1G denotes that the car dash camera (and by extension the car) are at rest as they are equivalent with Earth’s gravity. At this level the car dash camera will not activate; it’s only when movement occurs to the car that the g-sensor is triggered. A reading of 2G, which could be a slight movement like driving over a speed bump, would be twice that of Earth’s gravity. A much higher reading like 5G would require 5x this amount; an example might be crashing into another car. In short, the higher the sensitivity selected on the G-sensor, the greater the force required to activate it.
How Does The G-sensor Work With the VAVA Dash? The VAVA Dash’s G-sensor works by mapping your position to a XYZ coordinate, also known as a 3-dimensional axis. In this case, X is the horizontal (left/right) change in motion, Y is the vertical (backwards/forwards) change in motion, and Z (up/down) change in motion. As the Dash is always recording when driving, if something triggers the G-sensor it will lock the footage 5 seconds before and 15 seconds after the event. If the car is parked, the G-sensor will record and lock only 15 seconds of footage after an incident. This may provide enough recorded data to be used as proof during an insurance claim.
When selecting a car dash camera, be sure that it features a G-sensor or G-shock sensor. A G-sensor will safeguard recorded footage of collisions, crashes, bumps, and bruises. This is ideal for driving or parking accidents, as well as when your vehicle is left unattended. When it comes to G-sensor sensitivity, the more sensitive it is the more recorded footage will be saved. With the G-sensor, know that your car and footage are kept safe. Happy and safe driving everyone.

The VAVA Dash: Keep Pictures and Videos Organized with the Dedicated Camera App

VAVA Dash

In an era of smartphones, smartwatches, and even smart TVs, VAVA brings car DVR to the next level with a dedicated camera app that lets you control all functionalities of your dash cam directly from your smart devices.The VAVA Dash app’s intuitive, user-friendly interface allows you to view your snapshots / recorded footage, sort these...

The VAVA Dash: Keep Pictures and Videos Organized with the Dedicated Camera App

In an era of
smartphones,
smartwatches, and even
smart TVs, VAVA brings car DVR to the next level with a dedicated camera app that lets you control all functionalities of your dash cam directly from your smart devices. The VAVA Dash app’s intuitive, user-friendly interface allows you to view your snapshots / recorded footage, sort these by category, and easily share them on social media directly from the app. This gives the VAVA Dash an edge over more conventional car cameras that require you to manually take TF cards in and out to transfer your data.
The VAVA Dash will be a crowd-funded on Kickstarter starting January 17. Reserve it now at http://www.vava.com/dash and be amongst the lucky, earliest backers who'll get it for just $99.How to Connect to the VAVA Dash via the Dedicated Camera App The VAVA Dash Cam comes with a built-in single-chip 802.11n Wireless LAN (WLAN) network controller: the Realtek RTL8189ES-VB-CG. Thanks to its low power consumption functionality (Legacy Power Save) as well the built-in mechanisms to detect and suppress interference, this chipset is widely used in wireless car cameras, smart TVs, and a variety of high-throughput performance integrated wireless LAN devices. Once the dash cam is turned on, this will emit a Wi-Fi signal that’ll allow you to wirelessly connect to your smartphone. Depending on whether your device runs on iOS or Android, you will need to work your way to the Wi-Fi settings, turn on this functionality, and click onto VAVA WIFI amongst the available wireless networks. Launch the dedicated car camera app on your smartphone and click onto the
connect prompt in the upper half of the interface. The app will take a few seconds to verify the successful connection, fully configure, and the live feed of what’s being recorded by the VAVA Dash will display.
What Can I Do with the VAVA Dash App? The VAVA Dash dedicated camera app provides plenty of functionalities to further simplify the car camera’s use and operation. Its intuitive interface is easy to understand so that even the less tech-savvy users will find their way around. The
Live Feed that shows on your homepage will let you view exactly what’s happening outside / inside your car so that you can easily capture snapshots or videos via the two integrated snapshot and video capture buttons respectively. All pictures and footage will be neatly arranged by date in the built-in
Media Gallery so that you’ll know exactly where to look for to retrieve one specific file, or simply to review the funny shots you took on your latest road trip. The app’s
Travel Log functionality relies on the VAVA Dash’s built-in GPS technology to track your itinerary from when you start the car until you arrive to your destination and turn it off. Those drivers that are mindful of the ever-rising price of petrol will be provided with the accurate kilometers the car has run. This’ll help them choose one route over another to save up on the gas. Ultimately, the
Driving Journal function allows users to build their own road journal by adding pictures, recordings, and even notes to a specific itinerary. This’ll let you turn all your car rides into social media proof presentations to share with family and friends.
What’s the Advantage over Using the Smartphone’s Built-In Camera When it comes to sharing and transferring data, the VAVA Dash camera app proves itself an essential addition to your car camera bundle. Instead of taking up your smartphone’s storage like the built-in camera would, the VAVA Dash app stores all data online and lets you download only the snapshots and footage you choose to. These will be securely transferred over Wi-Fi without having to take the car camera’s TF card in and out. All pictures and videos can be easily shared directly from the app and you won’t need to download them to your smartphone first. This gives you direct access to major social media channels like Facebook, Twitter, and even Instagram. Besides coming with some industry-leading hardware, such as a SONY IMX291 CMOS sensor, a built-in 802.11n Wireless LAN (WLAN) network controller, and even a powerbank to keep it running when the engine is off, VAVA goes that extra mile with a fully compatible, dedicated camera app. The VAVA Dash app works with both iOS and Android devices and allows you to get the most out of car DVR directly from your smartphone.

The VAVA Dash: How to Make a Travel Book out of your Car Rides

VAVA Dash

Have you ever wished you could simply pull up the car and take a picture of what’s in front of you? Depending on where we are driving at a given time, this not always feasible. The consequence of taking a wild shot with your smartphone while driving comes with a series of risks both for...

The VAVA Dash: How to Make a Travel Book out of your Car Rides

Have you ever wished you could simply pull up the car and take a picture of what’s in front of you? Depending on where we are driving at a given time, this not always feasible. The consequence of taking a wild shot with your smartphone while driving comes with a series of risks both for ourselves and for those around us. The VAVA Dash combines GPS technology, an integrated snapshot capture steering button, as well as a dedicated mobile app in order to allow the users to literally seize the moment and easily turn all car trips into photo albums to share.
The VAVA Dash will be a crowd-funded on Kickstarter starting January 17. Reserve it now at http://www.vava.com/dash and be amongst the lucky, earliest backers who'll get it for just $99.What is GPS? Global Positioning System (abbreviated generally as GPS) is a satellite-based navigation system that’s made up of 24 satellites orbiting around the Earth. The U.S. Department of Defense launched the first satellite in 1978, with the entire 24-satellite constellation completed in 1994. Despite its original military-intended purpose for improved marine navigation during the Cold War, in the early 1980s the system become available for civilian use. The 24 solar-powered satellites orbit around the earth at about 12,000 miles from the ground. Travelling at roughly 7,000 miles an hour by means of small, built-in rocket boosters, the satellites manage two complete orbits in less than 24 hours. While circling the Earth in a very precise orbit, each satellite sends detailed information concerning its exact position in space back to Earth. This information is transmitted via two low power radio signals, respectively L1 and L2. Civilian GPS devices uses the L1 signal at 1575.42 MHz, whereas the L2 frequency remains strictly for military use. The signals travel by line of sight. This means that they’ll easily go through clouds, glass, and plastic obstacles, but won’t pass through more solid barriers, such as mountains or certain types of buildings (hence, the inability to use the GPS functionality on your smartphone if you’re underground or within thick walls). The receiver compares the time the signal was transmitted with the time it was received. This delay between signal sent and received tells the GPS receiver how far away the transmitter is. Once a GPS receiver receives data from at least three satellites, it compares the distance from each of the three satellites (trilateration) in order to pinpoint the user’s current location. While a GPS receiver will calculate only a 2-D position (latitude and longitude) with the information obtained from 3 satellites, by locking onto four or more transmitters this will provide the user's 3-D position (latitude, longitude, and altitude).
How Does GPS Work With The VAVA Dash? The VAVA Dash features a built-in 12-channel GPS that’s integrated onto the USB cable. This will automatically turn on as you start your car and turn off when you arrive at destination and stop the engine. By detecting the vehicle’s current location from A to B, the VAVA Dash will provide you with an accurate overview of your itinerary, including start and end times, the trip’s duration, and the total distance in either kilometers or miles. Your itineraries will be safely stored in the Travel Log menu of the dedicated VAVA Dash app so that you can access all previous car rides and compare the advantages of taking one route over another in terms of time and distance to the destination.
How to Use to the Integrated Steering Wheel Button The VAVA Dash comes with an integrated steering wheel remote control that allows you to capture snapshots on the go without taking your hands off the wheel. Most car cameras don’t have any built-in feature to take still shots, and those that do come with this functionality make it more cumbersome than useful. These require you to either launch the dash cam’s companion app on your phone and hit the shutter button or physically detach the car DVR and use it as an actual photo camera. By featuring an integrated remote control that securely sticks onto the car’s steering wheel by means of the included 3M adhesive strip, the VAVA Dash overcomes an ordinary car cameras’ limitations in terms of road safety and functionality. The snapshot button remains fully accessible at all times without obstructing the steering wheel’s usability. This quick access allows you to literally seize the moment and capture all occurrences on the road with just one click, both outside and inside the car. In order to further simplify the VAVA Dash’s operation, the snapshot button communicates automatically with the car DVR via a 2.4G wireless connection so it doesn’t require you to perform any pairing.
How to Add Pictures and Videos to your Itinerary The VAVA Dash’s dedicated camera app automatically stores pictures and footage onto its built-in 16MB storage. While all media is neatly organized and fully accessible in the app’s Media Gallery section, it is via the
Driving Journal functionality that users will be able use snapshots and videos to build their own road journal. By accessing the Driving Journal menu and pressing the “+” button in the top right, you’ll be presented with a chronologically-ordered list of all road trips. Unlike the Travel Log function of the app though, you’ll be able to interact with a specific itinerary by adding pictures, recordings, and even notes. This functionality allows the users to turn any car ride into a comprehensive presentation that they can easily share on social media from within the app itself. By combining built-in GPS technology, a fully accessible remote control for the steering wheel, and a dedicated camera app, the VAVA Dash positions itself as an all-around on-the-road companion that adds social media interactivity to its car DVR functionality. It will appeal to all those drivers that wish to seize the moment, capture whatever happens on the road, and makes it easy to share their journey with family and friends.

The VAVA Dash and Usability: Staying Safe on the Road Made Easy

VAVA Dash

Some dash cams are just hard to use, and not everybody was born tech-savvy. In a time where mobile devices, home appliances, and even vehicles are labelled as smart, the real smartness lies in adjusting to the users’ needs while minimizing any learning curve on their side. This principle applies to car DVR as well.The...

The VAVA Dash and Usability: Staying Safe on the Road Made Easy

Some dash cams are just hard to use, and not everybody was born tech-savvy. In a time where mobile devices, home appliances, and even vehicles are labelled as
smart, the real smartness lies in adjusting to the users’ needs while minimizing any learning curve on their side. This principle applies to car DVR as well. The VAVA Dash appeals to drivers who look for an advanced car camera that’s easy to install and operate in addition to coming with a vast range of functionalities. Read on to find out how the VAVA Dash features a user-friendly construction on both the outside and the inside.
The VAVA Dash will be a crowd-funded on Kickstarter starting January 17. Reserve it now at http://www.vava.com/dash and be amongst the lucky, earliest backers who’ll get it for just $99.On the Outside: Intuitive InterfaceEasy to Install The VAVA Dash features a user-friendly physical interface in terms of both installation and operation. The car dash’s setup takes barely a few minutes. It suffices to connect the included USB cable to the VAVA Dash, run it along the windshield while tucking it below the isolating rubber margin, and plug the other end into a car charger (or powerbank). No drivers / software installation is required and the car DVR connects wireless to the dedicated camera app via Wi-Fi. Check out our blog “
The VAVA Dash: Keep Pictures and Videos Organized with the Dedicated Camera App” for further details on how the dedicated camera app works.
http://blog.vava.com/the-vava-dash-dedicated-camera-app/ The car camera’s suction cup, besides being wide and flat in order to allow only the minimum, necessary amount of air in, is controlled via a built-in button that squeezes it into place for a firm grip. The button sits flat on the front side of the dash cam’s support arm and, while being fully accessible, keeps a low profile that blends perfectly in with the sleek design of the VAVA Dash.
Easy to Use The VAVA Dash comes with no power button whatsoever: it automatically turns on when you start your car and powers off when you arrive at destination and stop the engine (unless connected to an external powerbank that’ll keep it running even when the car is off). In order to provide the drivers with the extra versatility mono-directional car cameras are lacking, the VAVA Dash spins up to 360 degrees thanks to its ball-joint construction. In this regards, the dash cam features a grippy, textured design that allows you to seamlessly rotate it one-handedly when needed.
Easy to Clean and Understand The car camera’s sleek, yet sturdy, ABS + PC build sports a matte black finish that won’t attract fingerprints and smudges so that the VAVA Dash will look just as new even after months of use. While providing the users with a wide range of functionalities, the VAVA Dash is easy to operate and allows the drivers to understand what’s going on by simply glancing at the dual built-in LED indicators. The green / red LED indicator will:

blink green / red while recording footage;

flash red to signal an error occurring with the TF card;

turn green when a snapshot is successfully taken.

On the other hand, the white LED will be ON when the car camera is successfully connected to Wi-Fi and OFF when there is no Wi-Fi connection.
On the Inside: Built-In Safeguards In order to further simplify the car DVR’s usage, the VAVA Dash features a series of built-in short circuit safeguards that’ll prevent issues in terms of usability as well as any possible hazard on a driving level.
What’s a Short Circuit? A short circuit is a low resistance connection between the two conductors that supply electrical power to a circuit. The low resistance will trigger an excessive current flow to the power source. The risk, besides the malfunctioning of the devices itself, is that the power source will be severely damaged / explode – along with all the hazards this may bring.
How Do Short Circuit Safeguards Protect You and Your Device? In case of low resistance, VAVA has implemented their car camera with a series of circuit breakers that’ll handle the excess in current flow and prevent any potential harm to both device and user. By activating within microseconds from the occurrence of a decrease in resistance, the circuit breaker will interrupt the fault current before this hits and permanently damages the power source. How does that translate to the average user that might not know exactly what’s going on in an equipment’s circuitry? In a nutshell, the VAVA Dash takes all needed measures to deliver a safer car DVR experience that’ll provide the drivers with a little more confidence and a little less worries while driving.
On the Side: Extra Gadgets for Extra FunctionalityIntegrated Powerbank Unlike most car cameras that’ll simply stop working when the car is off, the VAVA Dash aims to provide the user with an extended usability by adding an integrated portable charger to the car DVR bundle. While the VAVA Dash can be plugged onto the car’s own charger while driving, the users may decide to connect it to the powerbank once arrived at destination and turned the engine off. By doing so, the dash cam will enter
parking mode and keep running. In case of unexpected activity outside of the car, the G-sensor will wake up the VAVA Dash and have this record a 15-second footage. Such functionality comes in helpful in those scenarios where, apart from gaining a little extra confidence behind the wheel, the drivers wish to benefit from added peace when the car is left unattended, too. Imagine coming back to your vehicle to be welcomed by an eye-soring dent on the side door. The VAVA Dash goes that extra mile by providing the user with a clear, HD footage of who has caused the damage and how.
Built-In Remote Control The VAVA Dash ships with an integrated remote control in the form of a compact, tactile button. This securely sticks to the car’s steering by means of a 3M adhesive pad and allows the drivers to interact with the car camera while keeping focused on the road. The VAVA Dash’s remote control provides the users with the ability of taking snapshots of all occurrences on the road, both outside and inside the car. Read the blog “
The VAVA Dash: How to Make a Travel Book out of your Car Rides” and find out how the steering wheel remote controller interacts with the dash cam’s companion app.
http://blog.vava.com/the-vava-dash-snapshot-remote-control/ Improved functionality and an advanced technology should not come at the expense of an easy-to-use operation. The VAVA Dash caters to those drivers that wish to benefit from an all-around dash cam experience without having to spend an extended length of time learning and adjusting to a complex operating system and operation. The VAVA Dash is designed with the user in mind and aims to bring car DVR to the masses in a format that’s easy to use and enjoy.

VAVA Dash Cam Inside Look: What Makes the Camera Stand Out

VAVA Dash

Whether you’re looking for a dash cam to gain some extra confidence on the road, or you need it for your delivery driver private business to make sure things go smoothly, the VAVA Dash packs quite a few tricks up its sleeve in terms of both the hardware and the software that’ll make it worth...

VAVA Dash Cam Inside Look: What Makes the Camera Stand Out

Whether you’re looking for a dash cam to gain some extra confidence on the road, or you need it for your delivery driver private business to make sure things go smoothly, the VAVA Dash packs quite a few tricks up its sleeve in terms of both the hardware and the software that’ll make it worth your time. These make it an extremely appealing option that stands up to higher-priced models and easily exceeds them on a versatility level. Read on and find out how the VAVA Dash is designed to provide the users with all the goodies onboard cameras come with at a comparatively lower price tag.
The VAVA Dash is being crowd-funded on Kickstarter starting January 17. The earliest birds are in for the best deal consisting of a VAVA Dash PLUS a custom car charger adapter for just $99 (that's more than 50% off the retail price of $199).Follow the link below and support us for as little as $1:http://b1e.vavachallenge.comInnovative Hardware: 360-Degree Swivel Design Unlike the conventional car DVRs that record only in the direction they’re pointed at, the VAVA Dash features an adjustable swivel build that lets you rotate it up to 360 degrees.
Such design empowers the users to choose where to orientate the dash cam’s shooter and capture pictures / footage of what matters to them. This comes in handy when something of interest is going on inside the cabin and an instant turn allows you to record it on the go. By featuring a 360-degree rotatable build that empowers the drivers to captures virtually any occurrence all around and inside the vehicle at the most suitable angle, the VAVA Dash presents itself as a valid option for both personal and private business use.
In this regard, Taxi, Uber, or other delivery drivers too would benefit from a fully adjustable design that allows them to capture evidence of any occurrences inside the vehicle’s cabin with just a twist of the dash cam. Read the blog “The VAVA Dash and Usability: Staying Safe on the Road Made Easy” for a closer look at the VAVA Dash’s user-friendly, customizable hardware interface.

http://blog.vava.com/the-vava-dash-user-friendly-operation/Innovative Software: Pairing Multiple Units for Extra Coverage Benefiting from high-specced hardware and innovative software, the VAVA Dash performs just great as a standalone device. Yet it is when you pair two or more VAVA Dash units that this dash cam really shines. The VAVA Dash brings to the table a highly versatile software that allows the drivers to pair two or more individual units with just one device (e.g. your smartphone). By doing so, the users will benefit from both a more comprehensive visibility of their surroundings and an additional flexibility in terms of the car DVR’s installation (without the nuisance of wires to tuck away).
Lear more about the VAVA Dash integrated camera app and how this lets you pair with your device over Wi-Fi in our blog “
The VAVA Dash: Keep Pictures and Videos Organized with the Dedicated Camera App”.

http://blog.vava.com/the-vava-dash-dedicated-camera-app/ While coming in at a very attractive price tag ($99 for our Kickstarter earliest backers and $199 once it hits the market), the VAVA Dash provides the users with an increased versatility that exceeds what higher-priced dash cams have to offer. By means of its innovative 360-degree rotatable build and an advanced software that allows for multiple pairing, the VAVA Dash sets itself as an advanced all-around car DVR for both personal and private business use that won’t break the bank.

What's New with the VAVA Dash Cam

VAVA Dash

Since launching on Kickstarter just three weeks ago, the VAVA Dash Cam has 1,300 backers globally -- with more than $193,000 in pledges. Daily commuters and roadtrippers alike have rallied around this Kickstarter for the "modern dash cam". Read on for a recap of the FAQs that the amazing VAVA Dash Cam community have raised...

What's New with the VAVA Dash Cam

Since launching on Kickstarter just three weeks ago, the VAVA Dash Cam has 1,300 backers globally -- with more than $193,000 in pledges. Daily commuters and roadtrippers alike have rallied around this Kickstarter for the "modern dash cam". Read on for a recap of the FAQs that the amazing VAVA Dash Cam community have raised on Kickstarter and in the
VAVA Dash Cam Facebook Community. The VAVA Dash Cam started from a desire to build a dash camera based on feedback from real drivers and has continued to evolve with the Kickstarter project as something we could continue to build with our Kickstarter community.
The VAVA Dash Cam is your go to camera for your car -- it records in 1080p HD, has a built-in G-sensor to auto-save unexpected impact, and more. It comes with a full featured mobile app -- back the VAVA Dash Cam now on Kickstarter for as little as $1. Here's what some of these backers -- and press! -- have had to say:
The VAVA Dash Cam brings a uniquely-designed camera to the table that allows the users to capture any occurrence both outside and inside the vehicle with a simple spin of the car DVR. Learn more by reading the blog “
VAVA Dash Cam Inside Look: What Makes the Camera Stand Out”.
How can I support the VAVA Dash Cam? By heading over to the
VAVA Dash Cam Kickstarter page, all car DVR enthusiasts and interested donors can back up the project for as little as $1. Early bird specials are still available for just $119 (save 40% off retail!)!
What our users want to know about the VAVA Dash CamThe
VAVA Dash Cam Facebook Community has quickly grown over the past few weeks. Potential backers have gathered on the Facebook page to inquire about the dash cam’s functionalities / features, its future availability, or simply to share their enthusiasm for a device that’s based on real drivers’ feedback and engineered to meet the real drivers’ needs. Read on for a quick summary of the most asked questions and do not hesitate to head over to the
VAVA Dash Cam Facebook Community yourself to find the answer to any question you may have.
Q: Can you install two cameras, one for the front and one for the back, under the same account? A: Yes, the same account can be used for two or more VAVA Dash Cams. Yet, the current firmware of the app does not allow to display both cameras simultaneously. The users are required to log out of one account and log into the other one.
Q: Is the power cord visible once completed the installation?A: No, the power cord hides discreetly underneath the rubber / silicon protective margin of the windshield. Also check out the blog “
The VAVA Dash and Usability: Staying Safe on the Road Made Easy” for a step-to-step installation guide.
Q: What makes the VAVA Dash Cam different from any car camera that features a parking mode to record when the car is motionless / parked?A: The VAVA Dash Cam comes with the option of its own powerbank charger which will place it into automatically ino parking mode when you switch off the car’s engine (unlike other car cameras that require the users to manually turn on such feature). While in parking mode the VAVA Dash Cam won’t record uninterruptedly until it runs out of power. The built-in G-sensor will wake it up and have it capture a short video ONLY when it detects suspicious activities outside of the car (e.g. when a vehicle bumps into your car).
Q: Will the suction safely support the dash cam? Why not use some 3M adhesive tape instead?A: Unlike the 3M double sided adhesive tape that is harder to remove, the integrated suction cup will allow the users to easily reposition the VAVA Dash Cam elsewhere within the vehicle’s cabin if needed. The suction can be attached / detached without losing its original grip. The suction supports up to 8 kg, whereas the VAVA Dash Cam weighs only 80 g.
Q: What are the actual dimensions of the VAVA Dash Cam? Will it obstruct the view while driving?A: The VAVA Dash Cam’s main body measures 2.4 x 2.8 x 1.1 in (L x W x H). The support section’s height is as little as 2.7 in. Thanks to its compact profile, the VAVA Dash Cam can discreetly hide behind the rearview mirror and will not obstruct the view of the road.
Q: How many lanes does the 140° camera lens capture?A: The 140° wide-angle camera lens captures from 3 up to 5 lanes (depending on the width of each lane).
Q: Does the car camera feature night vision?A: No, the VAVA Dash Cam does not feature any night vision functionality. Yet, the built-in 1/2.8-inch 2.0 Megapixel SONY IMX291 CMOS sensor with F/1.8 aperture is made of 6 glass lenses and 1 infrared lens. This advanced lens setup can capture crystal-clear footage in 1080p HD quality at 60 fps both night and day. If you’re on the market for a complete feature-packed car DVR experience, check out the VAVA Dash Cam on
Kickstarter and take full advantage of the early birds rewards.

VAVA Dash Inside Look: Get 30+ Days of Parking Mode

VAVA Dash

The VAVA Dash Cam comes with a proprietary car charger that doubles as a 2300mAh powerbank in order to keep the dash cam up and running even when the vehicle’s engine is off.By virtue of this innovative design element, the VAVA Dash Cam provides the users with an enduring parking mode that lasts up to...

VAVA Dash Inside Look: Get 30+ Days of Parking Mode

The VAVA Dash Cam comes with a proprietary car charger that doubles as a 2300mAh powerbank in order to keep the dash cam up and running even when the vehicle’s engine is off. By virtue of this innovative design element, the VAVA Dash Cam provides the users with an enduring parking mode that lasts up to 30 days before the car DVR runs out of power. Read on for a detailed description of the VAVA Dash Cam Charger’s construction / usability and learn how Kickstarter donors can easily get their hands on one unit by pledging the project.
The VAVA Dash Cam is your go to camera for your car — it records in 1080p HD, has a built-in G-sensor to auto-save unexpected impact, and more. It comes with a full featured mobile app — back the VAVA Dash Cam now on Kickstarter for as little as $1. A closer look at the VAVA Dash Cam ChargerA Sleek, User-Friendly Look The VAVA Dash Cam Charger features a dual matte and glossy black finish construction that perfectly matches the VAVA Dash Cam’s own build. In addition to giving the device a sleek, elegant look, this dual-tinted design makes it easier to discern the different components of the car charger. The powerbank section comes with a matte finish that won’t attract fingerprints for a cleaner, newer look overtime, whereas both the cigarette lighter adapter and battery indicator button sport a more shiny black color. The two fully visible LED indicators that sit on each side of the individual operation button further improve the VAVA Dash Cam Charger’s ease of use. While the left mounted LED automatically turns on to indicate that the portable charger is successfully connected, it suffices to press once the built-in button for the one indicator on the right side to light up and provide the users with an accurate reading of the current battery’s level. The remaining battery percentage will be shown via three different LED colors that light up for 3 seconds: Red: < 20% Orange: 20% - 99% Green: 100% (fully charged) This’ll empower the drivers to easily understand how much juice is left and when it’s time to recharge. Learn more about the VAVA Dash Cam’s versatile construction by reading the blog “
VAVA Dash Inside Look: What Makes the Camera Stand Out”.
Some Great Internals What gives the VAVA Dash Cam Charger an extra edge over the ordinary car chargers is its unique design that combines powerbank and cigarette lighter adapter capabilities. Securely hosted within the charger’s fireproof ABS + PC 94-V0 casing, the built-in 2300mAh battery capacity allows for over 30 hours of parking mode when the car is turned off. In order to fully employ its advanced charging capabilities, the VAVA Dash Charger features: 1 x Universal cigarette lighter adapter (DC input of 9~28V/1.6A) 2 x USB charging ports (DC total output of 5V/3A) While the dual USB ports empower the drivers to conveniently charge the car DVR as well as an additional device, the integrated cigarette lighter adapter’s input fully recharges the portable charger in only 2-3 hours when the 2300mAh capacity runs out.
How does parking mode work? Unlike the other car cameras that require the users to manually turn on the built-in parking mode functionality, the VAVA Dash Cam goes a step forward by detecting when the vehicle’s engine is off and activating such function automatically. As soon as the car stops supplying power via the dash cam’s cigarette lighter adapter, the integrated portable charger activates in order for the car DVR to keep on working even when the vehicle is motionless / parked. While in parking mode the VAVA Dash Cam won’t record uninterruptedly until it runs out of power. The built-in G-sensor will wake it up and have it capture a short video ONLY when it detects suspicious activities outside of the car (e.g. when a vehicle bumps into your car). By turning the car’s engine on, the portable charger switches off and the power is once again supplied via the cigarette lighter adapter. The dash cam’s powerbank automatically recharges so that it’ll be ready to securely monitor your vehicle’s surroundings at your next stop. Learn more about the car camera’s built-in G-sensor technology by reading the blog “
The VAVA Dash: Everything You Need to Know About the G-sensor”.
Sometimes the most dangerous place for your car is when it's parked. Maybe that other driver left a note when he bumped into your car. Maybe there’s security footage available that shows what happened. Or maybe you can find out for sure with the VAVA Dash Cam. Paired with a proprietary 2300mAh power bank, the VAVA Dash Cam can stay in parking mode for over 30 days with G-sensor-activated recordings continuing to take place. Support this groundbreaking car DVR on
Kickstarter ($99 for our earliest backers instead of $199 once it hits the market), and get your VAVA Dash Cam Charger by adding just $20 to your

The Benefits of Portable Bluetooth Speakers

VAVA Features

In an age of incredible gadgets, portable Bluetooth speakers rank high up on that “incredible” scale and takes the music listening experience to a new level. Among its plethora of benefits are:The primary advantage of Bluetooth speakers is its portability, which makes it easy to share music and makes listening to music a social experience with...

The Benefits of Portable Bluetooth Speakers

In an age of incredible gadgets, portable Bluetooth speakers rank high up on that “incredible” scale and takes the music listening experience to a new level. Among its plethora of benefits are:

The primary advantage of Bluetooth speakers is its portability, which makes it easy to share music and makes listening to music a social experience with other people wherever you are. Portable Bluetooth speakers enable you to easily and effortlessly listen to music on the move anytime and anywhere. The majority of portable Bluetooth speakers on the market are also light weight and extremely small, which add to their portability factor.

Since portable Bluetooth speakers are also wireless, they also add to its sociability factor. These types of speakers are ideal for outdoor use, since there is no need to bother with cables and adapters. Out camping, at the park, or on a picnic? Get the music party going with your bluetooth speakers!

Powerful sound. Although portable Bluetooth speakers are small, they pack a big sound. The concert level quality of sound in the VAVA speaker for example, can go mano a mano with many larger, standard desktop speakers.

Low power consumption. Another impressive feature of portable Bluetooth speakers are that they are energy efficient. Despite their quality of sound, portable Bluetooth speakers require a low amount of power and consume incredibly low power. A good Bluetooth rechargeable battery can work non stop for hours. The VAVA for example can play music continuously for up to 10 hours with its rechargeable battery.

Not just for playing music, portable Bluetooth speakers can be used for other functions. The VAVA for example, can charge up your music playing devices such as smartphones and tablets.

No installation requirements. Installation requirements are not necessary for portable Bluetooth speakers. They won’t need any installations or human intervention to be connected with your source device.

Price point. Last but not least, anyone on any kind of budget can find a portable Bluetooth speaker that is within the range of what they are able to spend.

With the convenience, ease of use, and just plain fun that they offer, portable Bluetooth speakers should be a must-have gadget for any on-the-go music lover!

Giving Back: Music Unites

VAVA Features

With the launch of our portable Bluetooth speaker, the VAVA team also wanted to give back to a charitable organization that is doing great work out in various communities.Since the VAVA speaker exemplifies the power and spirit of music, it was a no-brainer for us to look into a music organization that promotes music education.There...

Giving Back: Music Unites

With the launch of our portable Bluetooth speaker, the VAVA team also wanted to give back to a charitable organization that is doing great work out in various communities.
Since the VAVA speaker exemplifies the power and spirit of music, it was a no-brainer for us to look into a music organization that promotes music education. There are many, many noteworthy charities out there and we are proud to say that we will be donating $1 from each sale of the VAVA speaker to Music Unites. We chose Music Unites as it is the leading non-profit organization promoting music education around the world. Music Unites partners with music stars, celebrity ambassadors, and music sponsors to promote music projects and events at local schools.
Most significantly in the US, Music Unites strives to empower urban youth in the inner cities to raise academic and lifetime achievement with the creation of music education partnerships and programs. Music Unites currently provides free after-school music programs to at-risk youth through school-based partnerships, along with special monthly workshops to get them prepared for career and college. Music Unites also puts the spotlight on students’ musical talents and elevates the next generation of performers by providing audiences, venues, and special performance opportunities while at the same time enriching the listening experience of the public with performances from these aspiring young artists. VAVA is very excited and happy to donate proceeds of our sales to such a worthwhile organization as Music Unites and make a contribution to the continued and important mission of this charity.

VAVA Voom 1 Month Later, What Are People Saying?

VAVA Features

One month and dozens of perfect reviews later, the VAVA Voom has claimed the titles of Amazon’s #1 New Release in Bookshelf Speakers and #1 New Release in Surround Sound Systems. Although our journey here at VAVA has just begun, we’re overjoyed to see the debut of our first Bluetooth speaker go so smoothly. Thank...

VAVA Voom 1 Month Later, What Are People Saying?

One month and dozens of perfect reviews later, the
VAVA Voom has claimed the titles of
Amazon’s #1 New Release in Bookshelf Speakers and
#1 New Release in Surround Sound Systems. Although our journey here at VAVA has just begun, we’re overjoyed to see the debut of our first Bluetooth speaker go so smoothly. Thank you all for your support! But over this one month period, what exactly have people been saying about the VAVA Voom - what made our Bluetooth speaker so successful? In order to answer that question, and to provide even better products in the future, we decided to first take a look back before moving forward. After examining each individual Amazon review, we created this word cloud:
The results matched our own goal for the VAVA Voom, which was to create a Bluetooth speaker that provided great sound, build quality, and battery life – all at an affordable price. What did surprise us, however, was how much people enjoyed the little things, like our packaging and user manual. We put great efforts into perfecting even the smallest details, so it’s always nice to see them being appreciated! That’s not to say the VAVA Voom isn’t without its issues. But thanks to the feedback of our reviewers, we were able to identify what could be changed and use that information to improve our future speakers and headphones. And now, our journey continues. As we work to provide an even better music-listening experience, we thank you again for supporting VAVA.

Behind the VAVA Voom: Meet its Designer, Wai-Loong Lim

VAVA Features

The VAVA Voom has impressed many with its sound, but its perfect unity of art, design, and quality has also garnered attention and praise. We’re glad to see our immaculate craftsmanship and down-to-the-last-detail efforts pay off. But none of this would be possible without the help of its designer, Wai-Loong Lim.With over 20 years of...

Behind the VAVA Voom: Meet its Designer, Wai-Loong Lim

The
VAVA Voom has impressed many with its sound, but its perfect unity of art, design, and quality has also garnered attention and praise. We’re glad to see our immaculate craftsmanship and down-to-the-last-detail efforts pay off. But none of this would be possible without the help of its designer
, Wai-Loong Lim
.With over 20 years of success in a diverse number of industries, Wai’s clients include Sonos, Activision, TiVo, Intel, and Unilever. Wai’s work is internationally recognized and has earned him numerous design awards including the IDEA, Red Dot, Spark, and iF awards. By strength of his impeccable experience in sound system design and his savvy in lifestyle industries, Wai joined hands with VAVA to come up with the VAVA Voom portable Bluetooth speaker. For the VAVA Voom, Wai and his team wanted a device to empower creativity and the passion to create. They let the design speak for itself, with nothing extraneous or whimsical getting in the way of its emotions and message. The result is a pure and iconic form with a wrap-around grille that sends true and real sound flowing from the speaker, and transforms it into ideas and inspiration.
Now, as more and more audiophiles join us on our journey, we hope you too will let the VAVA Voom affect your life, like it has ours.

What Determines the Quality of Speaker Sound?

VAVA Features

Searching for "Portable Speakers" on Amazon will return over 100,000 results. With a sea of choices out there, how can you tell the difference between them, other than their looks? How do they sound different (or the same)?For all the audiophiles out there, you probably already know what to look out for. But if you...

What Determines the Quality of Speaker Sound?

Searching for "Portable Speakers" on Amazon will return over 100,000 results. With a sea of choices out there, how can you tell the difference between them, other than their looks? How do they sound different (or the same)?
For all the audiophiles out there, you probably already know what to look out for. But if you are new to speakers, here are some factors which help create great portable sound.
How Speakers Work The first thing you need to understand is how a speaker works. Sound is transmitted to the speaker in the form of an electric current, which passes through a movable electromagnet. The resulting electromagnetic field causes a vibration, which pushes air away from the speaker to create sound. Here is a simplified illustration.
How Speakers Actually Work In reality, speaker designs are much more complicated. Speakers often contain multiple drivers and a typical speaker driver can contain more than a dozen components. Each component can be made from many different materials. Here is a more realistic version of modern speaker design.
Speaker Material Different speakers use different materials for the cones including paper, aluminum, polypropelene, and even materials like ceramic. Speaker designers have different opinions about the best material for making the cones, but no matter what materials are used, the goal is to recreate sound as accurately as possible (within their given budget). This is achieved through the combination of different component materials used to build the speaker and the design of the electric circuit.
Internal Circuitry Because music /sound is sent to the speaker in terms of electric currents, how the speaker interprets the incoming signal will affect how it sounds. For example, the design of the crossover circuit is a key component in how a speaker sounds. In a speaker with more than one driver, the crossover circuit determines which frequencies are produced by which driver; high frequencies (treble) are directed to a tweeter, with low frequencies (bass) directed to a woofer.
Where and how the driver and circuit boards are physically fixed is also important. Because they are so close to the source of the sound, they can easily become part of it. For example, if you don’t brace the driver securely enough, it can rattle and create distortion.
Outer Design Finally, not only does the inside of the speaker matter, the outside enclosure also plays an important role in creating beautiful sound. Unlike large speakers, portable speakers usually have limited space to work with. An enclosure that is too narrow can create interference between sound waves coming from different drivers. Too wide, and the sound will reverberate inside the speaker. There are other important factors which affect speaker sound, but not all of them are associated with an increase in price and cost. Great sound can be achieved at modest prices and at VAVA, we want to provide powerful and portable sound that’s also affordable.

Bluetooth Technology: What You Need To Know

VAVA Features

Bluetooth-enabled devices are all around us and you’ve probably encountered at least one product that has it. From smartphones, tablets, and laptops, to speakers, headphones, and even bathroom scales, Bluetooth is everywhere. Your VAVA speaker even has it. But for something so ubiquitous, a surprising few of us know anything about how it works... so...

Bluetooth Technology: What You Need To Know

Bluetooth-enabled devices are all around us and you’ve probably encountered at least one product that has it. From smartphones, tablets, and laptops, to speakers, headphones, and even bathroom scales, Bluetooth is everywhere. Your VAVA speaker even has it. But for something so ubiquitous, a surprising few of us know anything about how it works... so how does it?

What Is Bluetooth?

Bluetooth is a means to communicate. The Bluetooth protocol - a universal communication standard since 1994 - allows your device to connect with a matching device. Put simply, that just means two devices can wirelessly communicate with each other to transfer files, play audio, link hardware, tether the internet, and more. It’s convenience without cables!

How Does It Work?

Without the need for wires or cables, Bluetooth works by sending short-burst radio waves to compatible devices. However it doesn’t just send these “messages” out into the ether where anyone can receive them. For it to work, devices must firstly connect with each other to successfully communicate. Getting a bit more technical, communication between paired devices is conducted over a
piconet – an adhoc network specifically for devices using Bluetooth technology protocols that share the same physical channel. This network is an active system so devices can connect and drop out once initially paired and if in vicinity to the central device. Up to 8 devices can connect on this network, though you’re more likely to encounter only one or two connected at the same time.

How to Maximize Signal Strength

With a maximum operating length of 10 meters (33 feet), Bluetooth has an impressive range to meet the needs of ordinary consumers. That said, a bit more can be done to really maximize the strength of your connection:

Remove obstacles or barriers –signal strength is reduced when obstructed by physical objects

Employ devices with compatible protocols – the full benefits of version 4.2 will not be usable if the paired device can only use version 4.0

Ensure internal batteries are charged or working – batteries that are not fully charged or a bit faulty can disrupt signal strength

That the antenna or transmitter is placed correctly – try placing the transmitting device in different locations to see which placement guarantees the strongest signal

Bluetooth & Wi-Fi

While there are different means to connect devices, Bluetooth has taken the crown as the most popular. That said, Wi-Fi, as a means to connect devices, is becoming increasingly popular due its greater range and higher transmission quality. While the benefits of Wi-Fi cannot be denied, when it comes to home audio, stereos, and headphones for the standard user, Bluetooth is the clear winner. Here’s why:

Bluetooth enabled devices are far more common than devices with Wi-Fi – just about every handheld music device has Bluetooth functionality as do speakers and headphones

Bluetooth is less sensitive to interference as Bluetooth operates on its own frequency. This means that things like microwaves, ovens, and other home utilities which operate on a similar frequency to Wi-Fi, won’t disrupt the Bluetooth connection

Bluetooth is easier to use than Wi-Fi which can have settings that need to be manually configured before pairing

There are issues with Wi-Fi in terms of incompatible data formatting between iOS and Android operating systems. While most speakers and audio products are designed to work with both operating systems, Bluetooth works regardless so there is zero chance of having compatibility issues.

Bluetooth isn’t a magic piece of wireless technology; it’s a universal tool to connect devices. Hopefully after reading this you will look at it differently as you pair your smartphone with the
VAVA Voom and wirelessly play your tunes.

VAVA Voom Wins Red Dot Award: Product Design 2016

VAVA Features

Only a few months ago, the VAVA Voom became Amazon’s #1 New Release in Bookshelf Speakers and #1 New Release in Surround Sound Systems. Well, we’ve been keeping busy and now we’re proud to announce our Bluetooth speaker’s most recent accolade: winner of the Red Dot Award: Product Design 2016!None of this would have been...

Congratulations! Including the VAVA Voom, this is now the third time you’ve won a Red Dot Design Award. How do you feel?

WAI-LOONG LIM

It’s always an honor to win such a prestigious award! As you know there are thousands of competitors so for us to win is very cool, especially since this is a first for us: the Voom is VAVA’s first product, and it’s the first product I designed for VAVA! I can only hope this win will also be the first of many to come.

TEAM VAVA

What is different / special about this win with the VAVA Voom?

WAI-LOONG LIM

The win for the VAVA Voom is especially significant because I also helped create the brand and model name, so you can say I’m very integrated into the product development process.

TEAM VAVA

What are some challenges you faced when designing the VAVA Voom?

WAI-LOONG LIM

The integral part of our design process, which we call
Culture-driven Design, is that we look beyond the user to focus on the surrounding environment and lifestyle in order to deliver a solution that is
Useful, Beautiful and
Meaningful. For the VAVA the particular challenge is to deliver high audio quality at a value pricing while maintaining great design. Working with the factory and management team, we went through many iterations and realized that, like many successful products, less is really more. If you look at the Voom, you can see that it’s a timeless design consisting of very few parts, and those few parts work together in tight harmony to deliver an experience that fits the fluid lifestyles of the user culture we are targeting. We really didn’t try to add too many details and instead took away a lot of the pointlessness that you typically find in competing products. I believe the design succeeds and we have the sales number to prove it. I also believe this is why we won a Red Dot. Going back to our philosophy, I hope that the user will find the Voom very
Useful and
Beautiful and ultimately find his/her relationship with it a
Meaningful one.

TEAM VAVA

What are you working on now?

WAI-LOONG LIM

It really feels like we are living a golden age of hardware development; we are working on a lot of exciting projects! For VAVA we will launch a new model of Voom very soon, even as we are collaborating on a third one.

TEAM VAVA

Do you have any final thoughts or advice for budding designers?

WAI-LOONG LIM

Well it sounds very cliché'd but design is hard work! I get jealous when other designers say they can do it in their sleep. Really? After 20-plus years in the business, I still lose sleep over design!! As a designer you need to be aware of everything around you because I believe curiosity breeds creativity. You cannot be looking at one thing only. You need to look at what I call the ABCDE: Art, Business, Culture, Design, and Environment. Another thing: hardware is hard in an increasingly tough marketplace. Your design has to compete for eyeballs as people are now accustomed to looking at products online. The opportunity for people to touch and feel your product is very slim so your design needs to tell the story virtually. Everyone is still trying to figure it out. You, the Young Budding Designer, might just be the one to do so!!

The VAVA Voom was chosen as a winner for the 2016 Red Dot Award in Product Design by 41 jury members, who assessed a record number of 5,214 products from 57 nations. Learn more about the award-winning VAVA Voom Bluetooth Speaker at: http://www.vava.com/voom_bluetooth_portable_speaker.html.

EQ Mode: What it is and why your speaker needs it

VAVA Features

When choosing a speaker, the little things can make a big difference. EQ happens to be one of these "little things", which can turn your normal purchase into an audio-modifying machine. If you're asking yourself what EQ is, then read on and be prepared to discover a whole new side to music.What is EQ and...

EQ Mode: What it is and why your speaker needs it

When choosing a speaker, the little things can make a big difference. EQ happens to be one of these "little things", which can turn your normal purchase into an audio-modifying machine. If you're asking yourself what EQ is, then read on and be prepared to discover a whole new side to music.

What is EQ and what benefits does it bring to the average iPod listener?

EQ stands for Equalization. To put it short, that is the process of manipulating sound. EQ lets you have your say on what the music you are listening to should sound like. Thanks to preset EQ modes (such as "Surround", "Jazz", "Party", and many others) that many speakers come preinstalled with, emphasizing bass or treble to achieve the sound quality that appeals the most to the listener is as easy as sliding a button.

So, EQ manipulates sound but... what exactly is sound? Try to imagine sound as a series of vibrations that travel through the air within a given space (like the ripple effect you get when you throw a stone into the lake). The waveforms that reach our ears are perceived as sound. Yet, human ears cannot hear all of these frequencies (yes, it is different in the X-Men movies...) and will mostly perceive what falls in the range from 20Hz up to 20,000Hz, where 20Hz represents the low frequencies and 20,000Hz is the high frequencies. It's a different matter when it comes to other animals, though. Dogs, for instance, hear a way much wider range (it is not only the X-Men, you see...), and that's why Spot gets a bit...energetic, at times.

So, where does EQ stand in all this? EQ plays an important role in listening, recognizing, and modifying all frequencies. Imagine you're listening to Friday, but you find Rebecca Black's voice just a bit too high-pitched... simply set your speaker's EQ mode to low and tune the high-pitched sounds down a notch. And if you fancy Rebecca Black just the way she is, there's still plenty of reasons to use EQ:

To correct sounds that have been poorly recorded (yes, like that one video of your graduation ceremony recorded with your father's old smartphone...).

To play with the sound to achieve particular and unnatural audio effects (say, for X reasons, you want your best friend's voice to sound like he is talking through a bullhorn. Well, you can with EQ).

To apply gain (amount of positive/negative amplification) to audio...simply put, to increase or decrease the sound of certain frequencies (that is going to make Rebecca Black's voice just easier to hear for everyone).

Now let's get down to the facts: what's the magic behind equalizers? Equalizers are equipped with multiple filters in order to realize different effects. Let's go through each type of filter, see how it works, and what kind of funny and useful effect you can achieve with it.

High-pass and Low-pass Filters

High-pass and Low-pass filters are the simplest filter circuits used within equalizers. A high-pass filter (or low-cut filter) progressively reduces the level of any audio frequencies below a user-specified 'cutoff' frequency (frequencies above this point will be left comparatively unchanged). On the other hand, a low-pass filter (or high-cut filter) reduces the level of frequencies above the cutoff point (frequencies below this point will be left comparatively unchanged).

Shelving Filters

While high-pass and low-pass filters are extremely useful for cutting (low and high frequencies respectively), a shelving filter will allow us to further shape high- or low-frequencies. In other words, a shelving EQ will apply an equal gain (positive or negative) to all frequencies beyond a preselected frequency, rather than applying a progressive gain change beyond a cutoff point. As such, the user will select the shelving frequency as well as the amount of cut or boost to be applied.

Peaking Filters

Peaking filters are used to accurately target individual frequency bands (like a sniper shot in the world of sound). This type of EQ allows you to selectively emphasize or attenuate a limited frequency band within the audio spectrum. It usually offers at least two controls (parametric or semi-parametric EQ) : one to set the gain and a second one to specify the centre-frequency of the band to be treated (to say, how much and where exactly the gain will be). In addition to these, more advanced equalizers allow you to alter the width of the band of frequencies affected by the filter. This goes under the name of Bandwidth, Q, and sometimes Resonance. Should you feel lost amongst all of these filters, waveforms, frequencies, etc... FEAR NOT. What concerns the average speaker user is just that all these filters are combined in preset modes. According to what filters are used and how (what frequencies are chosen as parameters) each EQ mode will provide a different sound effect and allow you to enjoy your music in a different way. <<Learn More:
Four Major Ways Music Affects Your Body>> Amongst the most common preset EQ modes you will find:

Flat: known as Standard/Pass mode, too, it keeps the volume of all frequencies from drums to cymbals at approximately the same level. The result is a soft sound ideal for piano, sax, and guitar. It applies to ballad styles, background music, and small room settings

Party: often referred to as Bass Boost/Bass mode, this setting makes the sound louder, deeper, and brings out the bass. As the name says, it is what you want to go with for a party to get that kind of throbbing bass club atmosphere where sound matters and it has got to be loud.

High: the kind of mode that tweaks the treble and focuses on high-pitched sound. Ideal for vocals, wind instruments, and some electric guitars, too (note: I definitely would not recommend it if listening to Rebecca Black's voice...).

Rock: low and high ranges are made louder while the mid-range is mostly kept at its default level or even made quieter. Given that drums contribute to both the low and high range frequencies (as well as certain types of guitars) it is a preset mode to better enjoy rock music. You say Red Hot Chili Peppers, you say Rock mode.

Outdoors: ideal for those environments where it might be hard to clearly listen to your music, it delivers more mids for a fuller, richer, and louder sound.

Surround: the surround or movie mode delivers a 360° audio experience and the impression the sound is all around you and coming at you from all directions. Toretto's 1970 Dodge Charger R/T has never sounded so close!

Other modes are POP, JAZZ, DANCE, etc. whose names are pretty much self explanatory and suit certain types of music better than others. In case of doubt on which mode might suit your favorite song, you can refer to the chart below and see where each type of instrument stands and what mode is ideal to emphasize one sound or another.

Wrapping It Up

We talked about bass, treble, frequencies, what sound itself is, EQ modes, Rebecca Black, the RHCP, the amazing 1970 Dodge Charger R/T, and way more. Yet, only one thing really matters: you. You are the one listening to it all, whether it is Rebecca Black's high-pitched voice or the RHCP's throbbing bass sound. You listen. You get to choose. That's all EQ is about: A way to adjust the music itself to your liking, to personalize your audio experience, to make it yours. ...and definitely a point to consider the next time you look online for a new speaker.

How is aptX Improving Your Sound Quality?

VAVA Features

AptX is the latest trend for Bluetooth audio. But how does it “deliver pure wireless sound that doesn’t compromise on audio quality”?When transmitting music over a Bluetooth connection, say between a phone and a Bluetooth speaker, the original music signal is compressed, transmitted to the destination device, and decompressed again to be played. The compression...

How is aptX Improving Your Sound Quality?

AptX is the latest trend for Bluetooth audio. But how does it “deliver pure wireless sound that doesn’t compromise on audio quality”?
When transmitting music over a Bluetooth connection, say between a phone and a Bluetooth speaker, the original music signal is compressed, transmitted to the destination device, and decompressed again to be played. The compression and decompression process is achieved via a codec. AptX is a codec that is optimized for delivering a full listening experience.
SBC The standard Bluetooth codec is called (Low Complexity Subband Codec). SBC is designed to use as little processing power as possible, but it is not designed with perfect audio fidelity in mind. It takes advantage of the fact that a loud sound at certain frequency will tend to mask quieter sounds in the same frequency band
. It eliminates the quieter sound on the theory that its omission will be inaudible. The lower amplitude signals are removed and never reappear. While human years can hear sounds up to 20 KHz, standard SBC rolls off above 16 KHz, so the treble usually sounds grainy and the signal-to-noise and harmonic distortion performance is poor. For phone calls, SBC is perfectly fine. However for music, a lot of details get lost in the process, and that’s why if you compare a standard Bluetooth speaker and a wired speaker (of similar quality), you will notice that some small sounds, especially background sounds, are missing.
aptX AptX relies primarily on ADPCM (Adaptive Differential Pulse Code Modulation). Instead of transmitting or storing complete audio samples, aptX starts with an audio signal, predicts what the signal will be next based on what it was before, then transmits only the difference between the original sample and the predicted sample. Unlike SBC which only looks at part of the music, aptX address the entire music sample. SBC compression ratio can be anywhere from 7:1 to 12:1, but aptX runs at a fixed compression ratio of 4:1. Less compression means the output is closer to the original sound. Here is what happens when 32 pure equidistant tones are fed into both SBC (red) and aptX (Green).
In short, SBC have a lot more distortion than aptX, and the effect can be easily picked up by your ears. At 354 kilobits per second, aptX almost doubles any typical SBC bitrate. The ability to address the entire music sample and passing more information (bits) to your speaker/headphone ensure you get a better sound.
Low Latency Another advantage of aptX over SBC is low latency. SBC is frame based, in which entire data frame (containing the core audio samples plus the information about how to unpack them) must be received and loaded into a memory buffer before it can be decoded. On the other hand, aptX is sample-based and the decoder can begin work as soon as it starts receiving samples, rather than wait for the rest of the data in the frame to arrive. This is especially evident when you are watching a video or movie with Bluetooth connected sounds. Without aptX, the high latency can cause noticeable audio delay when watching a movie or film.
To Benefit from aptX If you want the make the most out of your aptX enabled Bluetooth speaker or headphones:

You need play music in HD quality. Most online streaming services (like Spotify) offer HD quality options. If you are playing MP3 files, this means the file bitrates should be more than 300 kbps. Usually a 3 and half minute song in HD quality can be as large as 10 MBs (a standard one is only 4 MBs)

Both the music playing device and the speaker/headphone must support aptX. For example, you can pair the VAVA Voom with a Samsung Galaxy S6 or S7 to experience the rich listening experience.

Take the VAVA Summer Challenge -- Join the VAVA Voom Squad!

VAVA Features

Summer is here! And with the new season, we're excited to invite YOU to join the inaugural VOOM SQUAD (take two minutes to apply!). What does that mean? We'll give you all the gear you need to document, capture, and experience this summer -- you'll share your stories. Are you a photographer? Video blogger? Writer? Just plain excited...

Take the VAVA Summer Challenge -- Join the VAVA Voom Squad!

Summer is here! And with the new season, we're excited to invite YOU to join the inaugural VOOM SQUAD (take two minutes to apply!). What does that mean? We'll give you all the gear you need to document, capture, and experience this summer -- you'll share your stories. Are you a photographer? Video blogger? Writer? Just plain excited to share some of your summer moments? VAVA is looking for you!

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxNWveL6_HQ[/embed]

Add your moments and join the #VOOMSquad

From June to August, VAVA will be teaming up with
RAVPower and
Taotronics to give members of the Voom Squad the ultimate summer survival kit to show the world #WhatMovesYou. Each member of the #VoomSquad will be armed with: a VAVA Voom Bluetooth Speaker, a RavPower 22000 Charger (this will charge up your phone and electronics in no time!), a camping lantern, selfie stick, AND fish eye lens kit. As you go about your summer adventures, we'd love to help you tell your story and ask each squad member send or post at least one video, photo, and snippet of how you've used your gear each week.
Want to tell your story, score some awesome gear, and join the #voomsquad? Applications are due on June 11th! Everyone has a story and VAVA wants to help you share yours.

VAVA Summer Challenge VoomSquad Winners!

VAVA Features

VAVA is excited to announce the ten members of our inaugural #VoomSquad! Each squad member will receive the ultimate summer gear pack -- including a VAVA Voom bluetooth speaker, Taotronics Selfie Stick, Taotronics Camping Lamp, Taotronics Fisheye Lens Kit, and RavPower power bank. Check back often to see how members of the #VoomSquad are using their...

VAVA's Weekly Giveaway

VAVA Features

[promosimple id="a47b"]It's summertime -- and what better way to relax and soak in the sun than with your very own VAVA Voom. This summer, we're giving away a VAVA Voom each week to one lucky winner! Entering is simple -- simply sign up for our e-mail newsletter filled with exclusive content, deals, and more and that's...

VAVA's Weekly Giveaway

[promosimple id="a47b"] It's summertime -- and what better way to relax and soak in the sun than with your very own VAVA Voom. This summer, we're giving away a VAVA Voom
each week to one lucky winner! Entering is simple -- simply sign up for our e-mail newsletter filled with exclusive content, deals, and more and that's it! Add some boom to your summer and discover that #SoundThatMovesYou

VAVA INTRODUCES THE CUTTING-EDGE VOOM 20 BLUETOOTH SPEAKER

A modern yet timeless design featuring huge sound,astonishing power, and 10 hours of battery life.SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Digital-audio designers VAVA (www.vava.com) recently launched the Voom 20, a powerful, portable Bluetooth speaker with dual 8W drivers, two passive subwoofers, and an amazing 10 hours of battery life. With the Voom 20, VAVA seeks to redefine premium wireless speakers. In the design phase, must-have elements included high-quality audio, timeless design, and serious durability. And they delivered all of the above and more. This compact unit's dynamic bass equalizer delivers richer sounds and squeezes every bit of thump out of your music, and a rubberized IPX5 splash-proof design makes sure party fouls won't ever stop your party."We knew that we needed to deliver top-quality sound—clear and pure," says Jeh Lin, Director of VAVA. "But it was also essential that the Voom 20 look like a piece of art, with a modern silhouette, and feel substantial in your hand. It's built for performance and style, with sound that can more than satisfy people who really love their music and demand excellence. The Voom 20 truly delivers on audio, can withstand anything you throw at it, and is designed to become the life of the portable party."The VAVA Voom 20 is more than just a portable speaker. It's about spontaneity and sharing your passion—without sacrificing the quality and power of the sounds you know and love. It's designed for anyone who appreciates big, clear sound and timeless design. The Voom 20's lightweight, compact form means that you can take it anywhere, and its 10-hour battery life allows you to fully unplug. The VAVA Voom 20 retails for
$79.99 FEATURES:

Dual 8W drivers

Dual passive subwoofers

10 hours of playback at 80% max volume

Rechargeable 5200mAh lithium-ion battery

aptX audio coding

Connectivity via Bluetooth 4.0, NFC & AUX cable

IPX5 splash-proof rating

Rubberized body

5V/1A phone charging

ABOUT VAVA: Inspired by the dynamic music culture of the San Francisco Bay Area, VAVA designs digital-audio gear that empowers you to live out loud. Exhilarating sounds fuel our lives, and VAVA's mission is to give you the ultimate portable listening experience. Our innovative, lightweight, and powerful speakers deliver superior sound in modern designs that are affordable for everyone. #VAVANation | @vavasound | vava.com
Media Contact:Jeh Lin 1-408-455-0274
jeh.lin@vava.com Photo-
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160801/394808 SOURCE VAVA

Related Links

Summer with VAVA Event Recap

VAVA Features

Summer calls for sunshine, good times, good company, and ... celebrating new additions to the VAVA fam! To celebrate the launch of two new VAVA products, the Voom 20 splash-proof speaker and the VAVA Flex - VAVA nation held its first showcase event titled Summer with VAVA. Since the brand draws inspiration from the dynamic culture of San Francisco, it was...

Summer with VAVA Event Recap

Summer calls for sunshine, good times, good company, and ... celebrating new additions to the VAVA fam! To celebrate the launch of two new VAVA products, the Voom 20 splash-proof speaker and the VAVA Flex - VAVA nation held its first showcase event titled Summer with VAVA. Since the brand draws inspiration from the dynamic culture of San Francisco, it was only fitting that the launch event situated itself in the heart of SOMA.Members of the VAVA team along with VAVA designer Wai-Loong Lim of Y Studios brought a familiar face to the award winning audio products you've seen on our curated Instagram (follow us if you aren't already!) and website . [caption id="attachment_955" align="aligncenter" width="640"]
Pictured: VAVA Flex[/caption] [caption id="attachment_954" align="aligncenter" width="640"]
Pictured: VAVA Voom 21 playing songs on the "Classic" EQ mode[/caption] [caption id="attachment_948" align="aligncenter" width="685"]
Pictured: Chef Jonnatan Leiva's summer music inspired lunch[/caption]
As you know, we're all about the "ultimate listening experience" - even down to the food we serve. Fresh, summertime music inspired the bright flavors that were hand picked and paired by Feastly Chef and San Francisco native, Jonnatan Leiva.A diverse group of guests attended Summer with VAVA including journalists from tech and media publications native to San Francisco, to some of the Bay Area's finest musicians and athletes. Amongst the chatter, tunes, and breaks of laughter in between - it was clear that music held a huge role in each of our individual lives. This common ground is what VAVA strives to embody in all of its products and the community it continues to foster.Check out our time-lapse recap of the event! https://youtu.be/Jv0wpyWiZFE
For more event photos, explore our Summer with VAVA album on the VAVA Facebook page.We have a special treat for VAVA Nation. Guests shared their favorite summer songs and musicians. Listen to the custom Spotify playlist we created from their top picks!

What VAVA Has Planned For 2017

VAVA Features

Your Guide To VAVA New Products In 2017It’s a new year and we’re a new VAVA. While 2016 was a big year for us, it looks like 2017 will be HUGE with plenty of great products coming up on the horizon. For what you can expect this year (and so you can start saving), here...

What VAVA Has Planned For 2017

Your Guide To VAVA New Products In 2017 It’s a new year and we’re a new VAVA. While 2016 was a big year for us, it looks like 2017 will be HUGE with plenty of great products coming up on the horizon. For what you can expect this year (and so you can start saving), here are some of the seriously awesome products we plan to launch in the coming months.
Audio Products VAVA started as an audio brand and we’re not about to abandon our love of sound. That’s why we’re in the process of launching two great headphones. If you love sound that moves you, then check out the VAVA MOOV 10 and the VAVA MOOV 11. If you’re after another timeless speaker, it will be a short wait until the VAVA VOOM 22 is in your hands.
VAVA MOOV 10 Just because the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus got rid of the 3.5mm audio jack, doesn’t mean reliable wired sound is dead. The VAVA MOOV 10 is a wired earphone that connects to your iPhone via the Lightning Connector; ideal if you find Bluetooth unreliable or prefer a traditional style headphone. Apart from the 24 bit DAC and 48k sampling frequency for natural sounding audio, we love that it works with every Apple product with lightning capability. Expect it by March.
VAVA MOOV 11 If you don’t have a device with a lightning input, we haven’t forgotten you. The VAVA MOOV 11, features a 3.5mm audio jack so Android and older Apple devices, as well as laptops and computers, can enjoy amazing sound. And when we say amazing sound, we’re not tooting our own horn. The VAVA MOOV 11 features duel drivers to generate premium high-fidelity audio. What’s remarkable about this is that most headphones feature only one driver, but with two available, you’re getting enhanced audio clarity without peer. It’s available now, check it out
here.
VAVA VOOM 22 Did you love our VAVA VOOM 20 and VAVA VOOM 21? Inspired by those beloved and award-winning speakers, we’re currently in the process of developing an even better speaker - the VAVA VOOM 22, a true wireless stereo speaker. It’s scheduled for May and will continue the world-quality design and balanced sound you expect from VAVA.
LED Lights and Accessories VAVA Baby Night Light At VAVA, we love to craft products that offer real benefit to families. For our LED range, it’s not just a light but an interactive experience. Take our new VAVA Baby Night Light that’s available
now. The touch sensitive controls allow a baby to play with the lamp in a safe, controlled manner. It also enables our young ones to familiarize themselves with simple technology with just a touch of their little fingers.
VAVA LED Desk Lamp Keeping up with a desire to keep things simple for the entire family to enjoy, in April we will launch our very first LED Desk Lamp. We can’t give too many clues except that it features a classic retro design with enough flexibility that it won’t look out of place in your home. The lamp also includes modern features including three lighting modes, a dimmer, and a timer. It’s scheduled for release in April and will follow our belief in that the lamp should be the perfect companion for your household.
VAVA Floor Lamps Finally we
two more surprises coming up for you. That’s right, TWO. Two very awesome and efficient floor lamps. At this stage, both lamps are currently in development but we’ll be sure to let you know when they are ready so they can light up your living room and beyond.
Smart Home Products VAVA Smart Bathroom Scale As part of bringing innovation to the home, VAVA is planning a series of smart home products that we’re just dying to launch. With a release soon on the cards, VAVA is readying a smart bathroom scale. Don’t know how that differs from a standard bathroom scale? Well a smart bathroom scale is the ideal companion for anyone on a weight loss journey. Rather than absently looking at a number, the smart scale pairs with your phone to analyze your body so you can track important information such as weight, body fat, BMI, BMR, heart rate, and more. The smart bathroom scale, as well as some other smart home products, are scheduled for release some time in Q1. We can’t wait.
Car Dashboard Camera The VAVA Dash A good product isn’t one that just works. It must seamlessly fit into your lifestyle and help to improve your life. With that in mind, we’re currently running a Kickstarter campaign to launch a product that does just that – our VAVA Dash. An innovative car dash camera. As a second set of eyes on the road, it will record 1080p HD video footage so every bump, bruise, crash, or collision will be recorded and safeguarded. It’s currently being funded
here and will ship out by June. If however you’re after something sooner, well March will be a crazy month for us with plans to launch our first humidifier, handheld steamer, and essential oil diffuser! We hope this list wets your tech appetite with all the great products we’re planning on launching. Even better is that this list doesn’t cover everything we have planned. We have so many more amazing products we are working on. You’ll have to check back soon to see all the surprises VAVA has in store for you in 2017.

Wai-Loong Lim, along with his hard working crew at Y Studios, are the designers behind some of the amazing products you know and love from VAVA (like our flagship VAVA Voom 21 speaker and highly anticipated VAVA Dash Cam). Their work can also be seen in brands like Unilever, Intel, Sonos, Activision, and TiVo. Wai's work...

Wai-Loong Lim, along with his hard working crew at Y Studios, are the designers behind some of the amazing products you know and love from VAVA (like our flagship VAVA Voom 21 speaker and highly anticipated VAVA Dash Cam). Their work can also be seen in brands like Unilever, Intel, Sonos, Activision, and TiVo. Wai's work is internationally recognized and has earned him multiple IDEA, Spark, iF, and Red Dot Awards -- two of which were awarded this year for the VAVA Voom 22 wireless speaker and the VAVA Dash Cam. We spoke with Wai for some insight on his latest work and what drives him to create beautiful, innovative designs.
Where do you find the inspirations for your designs, especially those you've created for VAVA? I find inspirations everywhere, really. It comes from being a very curious person. I get input from the most mundane everyday things like crockery - where the function is obvious and you don’t need to overthink it - to art, which may make you think really hard and you might still come away not getting it. Sometimes it goes beyond physical objects and instead it’s like experiences. Like when you eat something and you get inspired by the the taste and the emotions that it evokes. Traveling, reading, seeing, touching, listening, feeling. The experiences collected get filed away in my mental Rolodex and somehow come to the surface when we are trying to solve a design problem. I say “somehow” because there’s no scientific methodology as to how the inputs are applied. But I think that’s the beauty of it. For VAVA we work really hard to simplify the design and get to the essence of it such that the product delivers the function in the most elegant manner. The French writer Antoine de Saint-Exupéry said it the most eloquently, "Perfection is achieved not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away”. This principle works really well for us and we are able to come up with forms that are iconic and separates the product from the competitors.
How do you see design trends changing in the next few years? I think the current trend for minimalism will continue but of course it will evolve. Life continues to get more complicated, and I feel that we just want to surround ourselves with things that are easy to understand, delightful to use and that we can make emotional connections. To that end I think we will start to see products that are less cold looking and lean towards a warmer and playful feeling. While the form itself will remain simple, I think we will be more adventurous with the CMF (Colors, Materials, Finishes) application to make that emotional connection as well as to further differentiate the product.
What are some challenges you've run into with bringing a concept to life? You know the saying “no plan survives contact with the enemy”? It’s so true! The enemy in this case is the real-world manufacturing and cost constraints in bringing the product to market at the right price. We’ve come up with wonderful concepts that were hampered by one or both but the key thing is the expertise of the designer that knows how to navigate the perils and be able to live in that sweet spot between marketing and engineering.
What are some common misconceptions about designers or the design process? I think people think we can come up with kick-ass design, and really fast, just because we can draw. That’s like saying you’d be a good writer because you can use Word. I wish it was that easy! Drawing is just a means to an end, which is to communicate to others what we are thinking. The thought process in coming up with good design is looking for that fine balance between art and technology. A designer has to wear many hats, sometimes all at the same time, in order to come up with a good design. You have to be an anthropologist, an engineer, a marketer, a toolmaker and a psychologist at the same time, and I’m sure I left out a bunch of other expertise.
How does having a home base in San Francisco impact your designs? It’s wonderful and I feel lucky to live in SF!!! It’s a culturally diverse city where technology, culture, art and design intersect. We are in the Silicon Valley so you come in contact with cutting edge technology. Plus we have world-class museums, restaurants and brands to keep us mentally engaged. Lifestyle-wise, there are very few places in the world where you can snowboard and surf on the same day. And for some reason if you ever get jaded by it all and need to decompress, there’s an international airport just 30min away.
What does Y Studios hope to convey through their designs/design aesthetic We always try to convey the principle “Useful, Beautiful, Meaningful” into our work. It’s a handy easy-to-remember (what I said about the world being already complicated) meme we invoke to communicate what we are trying to achieve in our designs. It works really well for us and we are proud that the result of our work has a certain timelessness to it. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VAVA Dash CamWhat inspired your designs behind the VAVA Dash Cam? We were very intrigued by the notion of “sharing” that VAVA wanted to convey in the product. To me it means getting away from the techie look of this this category and instead really study how people would use it. For example we used a magnet to hold the Dash Cam to the windshield mount as that enables the user to rotate it 180º to either capture the road ahead or inside the car when, you know, you wanna get something social going on.

How does your VAVA Dash Cam design highlight its best features? I think the highlight of the design is the circular simplicity of it. Every other detail is a subset of it. The friendly shape exemplify the social aspect of the device in a very distinct manner without banging it over people’s head. At a more detailed level, the perforations on the sides which are primarily there for thermal ventilation double as grip textures you touch when rotating the Dash Cam.
Preorder the VAVA Dash Cam today at dashpreorder.vavachallenge.com Reserve the soon-to-be released VAVA Voom 22 wireless speaker at promo.vavachallenge.com/voom22

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At VAVA, we deliver the ultimate listening experience. We believe that everyone has a right to express, to share, and to be heard, and are obsessed with designing audio products that empower you to live your passions.

About

At VAVA, we deliver the ultimate listening experience. We believe that everyone has a right to express, to share, and to be heard, and are obsessed with designing audio products that empower you to live your passions.